Barovier & Toso Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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The Barovier family has a history in Murano dating back to 1295, when the first of their family, Jacobello Barovier, began working with glass, just four years after all glassmakers in Venice were ordered to move to Murano due to the risk of fire. In 1877, Antonio Salviati together with technician Antonio Camozzo, glass blower Giovanni Barovier, and four sons of his brother Antonio Barovier: Benvenuto, Giuseppe, and Benedetto (also glass blowers), founded Salviati Dott. Antonio. Salviati was bought out by Camozzo and the Baroviers in 1883, and the company was renamed Vetri Artistici - Fratelli Barovier. In 1886 the name changed again to Artisti Barovier. Benvenuto left in 1919, succeded by his sons Nicolo and Ercole, prompting another name change to Vetreria Artistica Barovier & Co. Nicolo and Ercole managed the company alongside Napoleone Barovier (son of Giuseppe). Luigi Ferro and Antonio Seguso were master glass blowers at the company at this time. Napoleone, Luigi and Antonio left in 1931 to form their own company Barovier Seguso & Ferro two years later (eventually this became Seguso Vetri d'Arte). Nicolo left in 1934, leaving Ercole Barovier as the sole owner. In 1936 the company merged with Ferro Toso. The merged company was first known as Ferro Toso Barovier, Vetrerie Artistiche Riunite S.A., before finally becoming Barovier e Toso, which they are still named today. Chief designer Ercole Barovier created many well known designs, including Crepuscolo, Brillantati, Zebrati, Graffito, Acanto, and of course the popular ribbed, rope like design Cordonato d'Oro. The company still exists today.
Sources: Murano Glass Themes and Variations (1910 - 1970) by Marc Heiremans.
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Barovier & Toso Labels & Marks
Artisti Barovier, Murano" dark blue or black & white square paper label, with space for a pattern number, used between 1878 - 1914.
"Verreries Artistiques Barovier & C, Murano, Made in Italy" red & white rectangular paper label, with space for a pattern number, used between 1919 - 1942(?). Date given as 1919 - 1934 in MH's Patterns & Variations book, but has also been seen alongside the following FTB label.
"FTB, Murano" green & silver circular foil label, used between 1936 - 1942. the initials stand for "Ferro Toso Barovier".
"Barovier & Toso, Made in Italy" green & silver circular foil label, used between 1942 - 1955.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano, Made in Italy" green & gold circular foil label.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano, Made in Italy" red & white rectangular paper label, with squared corners and white outiline to top section, used between 1942 - 1955.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano, Made in Italy" red & white rectangular paper label, with rounded corners, used between 1956 - 1970.
"Barovier & Toso, Murano" red & silver circular foil 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.
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Reference Websites
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