Barovier & Toso Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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Barovier & Toso was formed in 1936 with the merge of two glasshouses - Vetreria Artistica Barovier, and Ferro Toso. the company was first known as Ferro Toso Vetrerie Artistiche Riunite S.A. up until 1942, and then Barovier & Toso. Chief designer Ercole Barovier created many well known designs, including Crepuscolo, Brillantati, Zebrati, Acanto, and of course the popular ribbed design Cordonato d'Oro, usually made in red glass with gold leaf inclusions. The company still exists today.
Sources: 20th Century Factory Glass by Lesley Jackson.
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Barovier & Toso Labels & Marks
"Barovier & Toso, Made in Italy" green & silver circular foil label, used between 1936 - 1955.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano, Made in Italy" red & white rectangular paper label, with squared corners and white outiline to top section, used between 1936 - 1955.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano, Made in Italy" red & white rectangular paper label, with rounded corners, used between 1956 - 1970.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano" red & white circular paper label, used between 1956 - 1970.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano Venezia, Made in Italy" red & white rectangular paper label, used between 1971 - 1984.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano Venezia" red & clear rectangular plastic label, used between 1971 - 1984.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano" three line signature. Used from the 1970's and still used today.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano Venezia, Made in Italy" red & clear diamond shaped plastic label, used since 1985.
"Made in Italy" paper stock label, found on Barovier & Toso lamp.
Cordonato d'Oro
Meaning golden cord (or rope), this striking design is probably the most well known range by Barovier & Toso, created in the 1950's by Ercole Barovier. The design has since been reproduced by other Murano factories, including Fratelli Toso and AVEM. Consists of clear and/or coloured glass decorated with gold leaf, in a rope-like, vertical ribbed pattern.
A red Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" vase with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso, with retailer and factory labels.
Retail label reads "Casa Del Regalo Bortoli, Venezia". Barovier label underneath can be identified as one used from 1956 - 1970 based on the red border with rounded corners.
A green Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" vase with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A red Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" vase with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear and red Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" vase with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso. The same design but without the footed base, can be found online with their factory label, and the pattern number 19594.
Ref [click here].
A red Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" posy vase or bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear and green Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" vase with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear and green Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" vase with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A green and clear Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" vase with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" basket shaped bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A red and clear Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" bird bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" bird sculpture with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A red Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso, labelled.
Remains of Barovier & Toso label. This style of label was in use from 1936 - 1955.
A clear and green Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear and purple Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
An orangey red Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear and purple Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear and red Murano glass "Cordonato d'Oro" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A Bolle (With Bubbles)
Consists of clear and/or coloured glass decorated with gold leaf and controlled bubble patterns, sometimes with a vertical ribbed pattern similar to the Cordonato d'Oro range.
A pink and clear Murano glass lamp with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A pink and clear Murano glass lamp with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso, stock label to base.
Barovier & Toso stock label.
A clear and pink Murano glass vase with gold leaf inclusions and bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A green and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A green and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso. Can be found with a 1936 - 1955 factory label.
Ref [click here].
A red and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso. Can be found with a 1936 - 1955 factory label.
Ref [click here].
A blue and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A blue and clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and encased bubbles. Made by Barovier & Toso.
Graffito (and similar)
Designed by Ercole Barovier, probably during the 1950's. Consists of clear glass decorated with gold leaf, and bands of opaque colour, which are then "scratched" to create a festooned or feathered pattern. Similar designs are also shown here, without the scratched effect. I believe the term graffito (Italian for graffiti) is in reference to the coloured bands, which are darker at the edges and resemble the effect of spray paints used in graffiti.
A clear Murano glass "Graffito" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and purple spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass "Graffito" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions, encased bubbles and blue spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions, encased bubbles and green spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso, signed.
Signature reads "Barovier & Toso, Murano".
A clear Murano glass "Graffito" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions, encased bubbles and purple spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions, purple speckles, and white spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions, and green spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
Zebrati (and similar)
Designed by Ercole Barovier, probably during the 1950's. Consists of clear glass decorated with gold leaf, and thin bands of colour, creating a zebra-like pattern. There has not been any real clear definition of zebrati by realiable sources, so some of the items shown below may not officially be from the zebrati range.
A clear Murano glass "Zebrati" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and brown spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass "Zebrati" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and brown spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass "Zebrati" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions and red spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
A clear Murano glass "Zebrati" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions, encased bubbles and purple spiralling pattern. Made by Barovier & Toso.
Porpora
Introduced in 1954, designed by Ercole Barovier. Consists of purple coloured glass decorated with gold leaf.
A pinkish purple Murano glass "Porpora" ashtray bowl with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso, signed and labelled.
Signature reads "Barovier & Toso, Murano".
Label reads "Barovier & Toso, murano venezia, made in italy".
Other Barovier & Toso Glass
A blue Murano glass bird sculpture with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso, these birds can be found with labels used by Barovier between 1955 - 1970.
A pink Murano glass bird sculpture with gold leaf inclusions. Made by Barovier & Toso, these birds can be found with labels used by Barovier between 1955 - 1970.
A pink Murano glass shell shaped ashtray bowl. Made by Barovier & Toso, signed and labelled.
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Reference Websites
For more information on Barovier & Toso glass, check out the following resources: