Sculptural Vase

Designer Ercole Barovier (Italian, 1889-1974)

Manufacturer Barovier and Toso (Italian)

Factory/Foundry Vetreria Artistica Cenedese

Dateabout 1970

Dimensions14 3/8 × 13 1/4 × 12 in. (36.5 × 33.7 × 30.5 cm)

MediumSoda-lime glass; blown, applied and tooled decoration, iridized

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Jefferson D. Robinson in memory of his wife, Mary Elizabeth, by exchange

Object number

2009.64

Not on View

DescriptionTransparent dark blue/black soda-lime glass, blown, with internal air trap (pulegoso) decoration, vertically applied and tooled fins, iridized.

Label TextThis large iridescent vase with its quirky “fins” was made as prototype for a model that was put into production in a smaller size and with more fins. The produced vases also lacked the striking pulegoso decoration of the prototype, a technique for producing air bubbles in the glass. Ercole Barovier came from a dynasty of Venetian glassmakers stretching back to the Renaissance. He was co-owner of the venerable firm Barovier & Toso along with Atermio and Decio Toso from 1939 to 1972.