The Baroviers: a dynasty of master glassmakers on the island of Murano

The Barovier family: a dynasty of master glassmakers on the island of Murano The Barovier family: a dynasty of master glassmakers on the island of Murano The island of Murano, located in the Venetian lagoon in Italy, has for centuries been renowned for its exceptional glassmaking tradition. Among the many families who have contributed to this renown, the Barovier family occupies a special place. With a history dating back more than 700 years, the Baroviers are considered to be one of the oldest and most prestigious families of master glassmakers in the world. In this article, I look back at the history of this emblematic family. The island of Murano, located in the Venetian lagoon in Italy, has been renowned for centuries for its exceptional glassmaking tradition. Among the many families who have contributed to this renown, the Barovier family occupies a special place. With a history dating back more than 700 years, the Baroviers are considered to be one of the oldest and most prestigious families of master glassmakers in the world. In this article, I look back at the history of this emblematic family. The island of Murano is still home to many master glassmakers' workshops. It was the Phoenicians who first discovered glassmaking. The island of Murano is still home to many master glassmakers' workshops. It was the Phoenicians who first discovered glassmaking. The Barovier family can be traced back to the 13th century, but the family's 1st famous master glassmaker was Angelo Barovier (?-1461). He is considered to be one of the first master glassmakers to have perfected the technique of crystalline glass or "Venetian Crystal" - "vetro cristallo", a completely clear, colourless and transparent glass -. He created pieces of exceptional transparency and luminosity that rivalled crystal. At the time, these works were very popular with the public, and were used by Barovier & Toso to create vintage wall lamps in Murano glass and metal, 1950 Vintage wall lamps in Murano glass and metal for Barovier & Toso, 1950 Vintage wall lamps in Murano glass and metal for Barovier & Toso, 1950 Vintage wall lamps in Murano glass and metal for Barovier & Toso, 1950 Vintage wall lamps in Murano glass and metal for Barovier & Toso, 1950 Toso, 1950 Vintage wall lamp in Murano glass and metal for Barovier & Toso, 1950 27 generations succeeded one another at the head of the Barovier family glassworks, until Jacopo Barovier, grandson of the great master glassmaker Ercole Barovier (1889-1974), decided to sell 80% of the company in 2015. Founded in 1295, Barovier & Toso was until then the 5th oldest family business in the world, and it was still in business! That's enough to underpin the prestige of this not-so-Italian-sounding family name... The Barovier family can be traced back to the 13th century, but the family's first famous master glassmaker was Angelo Barovier (?-1461). He is considered to be one of the first master glassmakers to have perfected the technique of crystalline glass or "Venetian crystal" - "vetro cristallo", a completely clear, colourless and transparent glass. He created pieces of exceptional transparency and luminosity that rivalled crystal. Although the Barovier family can be traced back to the 13th century, the family's first famous master glassmaker was Angelo Barovier (?-1461). He is considered to be one of the first master glassmakers to have perfected the technique of crystalline glass or "Venetian crystal" - "vetro cristallo", a completely clear, colourless and transparent glass. He created pieces of exceptional transparency and luminosity that rivalled crystal. At the time, these pieces were highly prized by the royal families and courts of Europe. Angelo Barovier is also credited with inventing white glass, known as "lattimo", which bears a striking resemblance to porcelain. Later, Marietta Barovier, Angelo's daughter, created the herringbone pearl. Angelo Barovier is also credited with inventing white "lattimo" glass, which looks suspiciously like porcelain. Later, Angelo's daughter Marietta Barovier created the herringbone pearl. The "coppa Barovier" bridal or wedding cup. An exceptional piece attributed to the great Italian master glassmaker of the Renaissance. It is one of the oldest examples of enamelled glass from the Renaissance. The "coppa Barovier" bridal or wedding cup. An exceptional piece attributed to the great Italian master glassmaker of the Renaissance. It is one of the oldest examples of Renaissance enamelled glass. "Barovier coppa, detail of one side in blue glass enamelled with polychrome enamel and molten gold. The piece is in the Murano Glass Museum in Venice. "Barovier coppa, detail of one side in blue glass enamelled with polychrome enamel and fused gold. The piece is in the Murano Glass Museum in Venice. After the Renaissance, the art of glassmaking fell somewhat into oblivion and even almost disappeared in the mid-19th century, when Venice was under the domination of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1814-1866). The reintegration of the Republic of Venice into the Kingdom of Italy saw the revival of the thousand-year-old tradition of glassmaking on the island of Murano. The Baroviers, who had not lost their know-how, were to play a major role in the return of Venetian glassmaking to the forefront at the end of the 19th century. One man played a crucial role in this revival: Antonio Salviati (1816-1890). Originally a lawyer with a passion for restoring glass, he wanted to restore the island's glassworks to their former glory. He became the first glass factory owner to employ a large number of skilled workers to mass-produce glass for export. The brothers Benedetto, Benvenuto and Giuseppe Barovier were employed in his factory, which became the epicentre of the island. Antonio Salviati: "Vase with Dauphin", 1880. A magnificent piece, the work of a goldsmith! Antonio Salviati: "Vase with Dauphin", 1880. A magnificent piece, the work of a goldsmith! Antonio Salviati: "Vase with Dauphin", 1880, detail. Vase in blown Venetian crystal. Twists in opalescent, pink, green and transparent gradations. Antonio Salviati: "Dolphin Vase", 1880, detail. Blown Venetian crystal vase. Twists in opalescent, pink, green and transparent gradations. "Dolphin vase", 1880, detail. White dolphin and pink powdered gold. "Dolphin vase, 1880, detail. White dolphin and pink powdered gold. The 3 brothers decided to leave Salviati and in 1878 Fratelli Barovier Fratelli Barovier (Barovier Frères) was born, which became Artisti Barovier in 1896. Artisti Barovier. The Baroviers continued to innovate and adapt to stylistic developments, producing pieces in vibrant colours. Giuseppe Barovier (1853-1942) was considered the island's most talented master glassmaker. He was comfortable working in all styles and excelled in the art of mosaic glass (murrine). Cobalt blue flower vase with handles, designed by Giuseppe Barovier for Artisti Barovier, circa 1914. Glass decorated on the inside with murrines and polychrome threads. Cobalt blue flower vase with handles, designed by Giuseppe Barovier for Artisti Barovier, circa 1914. Glass decorated on the inside with murrines and polychrome threads. Cobalt blue flower vase with handles, designed by Giuseppe Barovier for Artisti Barovier, detail of a handle, circa 1914. Cobalt blue flower vase with handles, Giuseppe Barovier design for Artisti Barovier, detail of a handle, circa 1914. Murrine Floreali vase for the Mostra dei Fiori 1914, designed by Giuseppe Barovier for Artisti Barovier. This fabulous piece is made of blown glass decorated with murrine roses and leaves in polychrome threads. Photo © Bonhams Murrine Floreali vase for the Mostra dei Fiori 1914, design by Giuseppe Barovier for Artisti Barovier. This fabulous piece is in blown glass decorated with murrine roses and leaves in polychrome threads. Photo © Bonhams After the First World War, Benvenuto's sons Nicolò and Ercole (1889-1974) took over the family business. In 1926, Ercole Barovier became artistic director of the family business, a position he held until 1972. A highly talented draughtsman and chemist, he created more than 25,000 pieces and, above all, never stopped trying out and perfecting new techniques. He achieved great success with the creation of the Primavera collection of glasses at the end of the 1930s. The great master glassmaker Ercole Barovier The great master glassmaker Ercole Barovier A tireless creator, he was constantly experimenting with the technique of hot colouring without fusion. His Barbarico Barbarico series is a surprise to the world of glassmaking: pieces with archaic shapes and a rough feel, fired with metallic oxides. Vase from the Laguna Gemmata series, designed by Ercole Barovier for Ferro Toso Barovier, circa 1935. A light blue oval vase with unfused hot inclusions and crested handles. Vase from the Laguna Gemmata series, designed by Ercole Barovier for Ferro Toso Barovier, circa 1935. A light blue oval vase with unfused hot inclusions and crested handles. Ercole Barovier, "Barbarico" vase, for Barovier & Toso, 1951. Clear glass with iridescent blue oxide layers. Ercole Barovier, "Barbarico" vase, for Barovier & Toso, 1951. Clear glass with iridescent blue oxide layers. Ercole Barovier, "Graffito Barbarico Opaco" vase, for Barovier & Toso, 1952. Glass decorated on the inside with gold leaf. Ercole Barovier, "Graffito Barbarico Opaco" vase, for Barovier & Toso, 1952. Glass decorated on the inside with gold leaf. In 1936, under the impetus of Nicolò and Ercole, Barovier merged with another of the island's great historic glassmaking families: the Toso family. After several name changes, the company adopted the name Barovier & Toso, as we know it today. Today, Barovier & Toso continues to represent the excellence of Italian glassmaking and offers a fairly extensive collection of Murano glass lighting. Over the generations, the Baroviers have acquired unrivalled expertise in handling glass, creating pieces of extraordinary beauty and complexity. They have played an essential role in the evolution of the art of glass, both technically and aesthetically. The family developed techniques such as crystalline glass, filigree glass, aventurine glass and millefiori glass, to name but a few. Hand-heated. Filigree Murano glass, 20th century. Chauffe Main. Filigree Murano glass, 20th century. Murano crystal vase, design by Paolo Venini (1895-1959) for Venini. The vase is decorated using the "Filigrana" technique, with superimposed spirals in blue and green. Murano crystal vase, design by Paolo Venini (1895-1959) for Venini. The vase is decorated using the "Filigrana" technique, with superimposed spirals in blue and green. Desk lamp in millefiori murrine glass, made by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano, late 19th-early 20th century. The millefiori decoration is obtained by fusing multicoloured glass rods. Desk lamp in millefiori murrine glass, made by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano, late 19th/early 20th century. The millefiori decoration is obtained by fusing multicoloured glass rods. CREDIT: https://www.getyourguide.fr/murano-l1582/murano-visite-d-une-verrerie-et-demo-de-soufflage-de-verre-t112297/*https://www.getyourguide.fr/murano-l1582/murano-visite-d-une-verrerie-et-demo-de-soufflage-de-verre-t112297/**https://www.design-market.eu/fr/258096-applique-vintage-en-verre-de-murano-et-m%C3%A9tal-pour-barovier-toso-italie-1950.html**https://www.e-venise.com/coupenuptialeangelobarovier.htm https://www.e-venise.com/coupenuptialeangelobarovier.htm**https://www.proantic.com/867970-antonio-salviati-quotvase-au-dauphin-1880-quot.html#**https://www.proantic.com/867970-antonio-salviati*

The Baroviers: a dynasty of master glassmakers on the island of Murano

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