Barbini Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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Alfredo Barbini began learning the art of glass making in 1912, aged ten, at Abate Zanetti, the design school attached to the Murano Glass museum. He then went on to work for Ferro Toso, Cristalleria Murano, Zecchin-Martinuzzi, Seguso Vetri'dArte and Vetri Artistici Muranesi Societa Anonima. In 1946 he became a partner at Cenedese, and then began Barbini Glassworks in 1950. Some financial assistance for setting up the factory was provided by Salviati. In exchange, Barbini supplied Salviati with some of the glassware they produced. This explains why some known Barbini designs can be found with Salviati labels. Barbini has become renowned for his heavy, thick sculptural forms which have won him many awards. In 1952 Alfredo's daugher Oceania Barbini-Moretti joined the glassworks and became the company's sales manager. His son Flavio became a designer for the firm in 1968.
Sources: 20th Century Factory Glass by Lesley Jackson.
See also: Barbini Glass Catalogues
Buy Barbini Glass Products in our Online Glass StoreTransparent Cased Biomorphic Bowls
The following range of biomorphic ashtray bowls is attributed to Barbini, based on several labelled examples, and many of the shapes being shown in the Barbini catalogues. As with other Barbini designs, some of these bowls can also be found with Salviati labels, as Barbini supplied Salviati with their glass in exchange for finanical assistance setting up the factory. As part of ongoing research, I've set up a Pinterest board to collect together as many examples from this range as possible, which can be viewed [here].
A blue and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with a bolle controlled bubble pattern. Made by Barbini, labelled.
A purple and blue Murano glass ashtray bowl with a bolle controlled bubble pattern. Made by Barbini.
A red and blue Murano glass ashtray bowl with a bolle controlled bubble pattern. Made by Barbini.
A pink and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini.
A red and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini.
A pink and clear Murano glass ribbed ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini.
An orange and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini. The same shape and colours can be found online with the factory label.
Reference: [click here].
A red and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with a bolle controlled bubble pattern. Made by Barbini. This shape is shown in the Barbini catalogues.
A red, blue and clear Murano sommerso glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini.
A purple and blue Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini.
An orange and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with a bolle controlled bubble pattern. Made by Barbini.
A pink and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini. This shape is shown in the Barbini catalogues, and can be found online in different colours with the factory label.
Reference: [click here].
A turquoise green and blue Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini. This shape is shown in the Barbini catalogues, and a different shape in these same colours can be found online with the factory label. The same shape in different colours can also be found.
Reference 1: [click here].
Reference 2: [click here].
A blue and opalescent white Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini.
A red and blue Murano glass ashtray bowl. Attributed to Barbini.
A dark blue and pale blue Murano glass ashtray bowl. Attributed to Barbini.
A turquoise green and blue Murano glass ashtray bowl. Made by Barbini.
View more Barbini Glass examples in our Glass Reference Database
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Barbini Glass on eBay UK
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Barbini Glass on eBay USA
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