Ermanno Toso 1903–1973

Born on Murano, Ermanno Toso began to work at the Fratelli Toso workshop in 1924, where he was later to become a partner. In 1936, he was named artistic and marketing director of the company. During the period preceding World War II, he created thick glass pieces using traditional decorative techniques that were characterized by simple and solid shapes inspired by the Novecento style. During the ’50s, he created a collection of extraordinarily lightweight glass pieces based on a modern interpretation of classical techniques, such as filigrana and murrina. During the ’60s, his creative talent led him towards an absolute multicolored sobriety.

Neolitico

Barovier & Toso, 1954

Information

Ermanno Toso NeoliticoBarovier & Toso, 1954

Two tall glass vessels. The vessel on the left is composed of intersectingcristallo and aquamarine canes; the vessel on the right is composed of intersecting cristallo and amethyst canes.

16 in. high (41 cm)
14 in. high (36 cm)

Bibliography and comparative texts:
R. Linzeler, 1922, p. 666;
C. Carrà, 1923, p. 67;
R. Linzeler, 1923, p. 83;
R. Papini, 1930, n. 570;
G. Mariacher, 1967, p. 98;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1982, n. 252;
Mille anni…, 1982, n. 503;
F. Deboni, 1984, p. n. 70;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, nn. 7, 104;
A. Dorigato, 1986, p. 71;
F. Deboni, 1989, n. 1;
L’arte del vetro, 1982, n. 307;
M. Heiremans, 1993, n. 191;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti,
A. Dorigato, 1995, n. 15;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 1;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1998, n. 25;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 1;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 8;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 13.

Workshop

Barovier & Toso 1942–

In 1936, Ercole Barovier became partner of the S.A.I.A.R. Ferro Toso, forming Ferro Toso e Barovier. In 1939, it became Barovier Toso & C., and finally, in 1942, its name was changed to Barovier & Toso.

Ercole Barovier remained artistic director of the company through 1972 and was succeeded by his son, Angelo, who was already a designer for the company. Beginning in the '80s and continuing through today, many have designers collaborated with Barovier & Toso. Among them are Matteo Thun, Toni Zuccheri, Renato and Giusto Toso, and Noti Massari. The company’s most recent productions have been created by designers like Roberto Caddeo, Marco Mencacci, Franco Raggi, Luca Scacchetti, and others. Barovier & Toso is currently directed by Angelo, his son Jacopo, and Giovanni Toso.

Neolitico

Barovier & Toso, 1954

A spina

Barovier & Toso, 1956

Information

Ermanno Toso A spinaBarovier & Toso, 1956

Glass vase composed of green, cristallo, and amethyst glass patches arranged in a herringbone pattern.

9 in. high (23 cm)

Workshop

Barovier & Toso 1942–

A spina

Barovier & Toso, 1956

Intarsio

Barovier & Toso, 1961–1963

Information

Ermanno Toso IntarsioBarovier & Toso, 1961–1963

Vase composed of grey and red triangular shaped transparent glass patchessommersi in cristallo.

12 in. high (30 cm)

Workshop

Barovier & Toso 1942–

Intarsio

Barovier & Toso, 1961–1963

Caccia

Barovier & Toso, 1984

Information

Ermanno Toso CacciaBarovier & Toso, 1984

Cylindrical vase composed of two alternating glass bands. One band is made of circular cristallo, lattimoand blue tessere, the other is Diamond-shaped cristalloand black tessere.

9 in. high (23 cm)

Workshop

Barovier & Toso 1942–

Caccia

Barovier & Toso, 1984

Kiku

Fratelli Toso, 1959-1960

Information

Ermanno Toso KikuFratelli Toso, 1959-1960

Globular glass vase crafted with aubergine and lattimo pinwheel murrine, most of which have a red glass core.

7 in. high (17.8 cm)
Exhibitions:
2000, New York, Venetian Glass, Museum of Arts & Design;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
M. Heiremans, 1989, nn. 163, 164;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 120;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 159.

Workshop

Fratelli Toso 1954–1982

Founded in 1854 by the brothers Ferdinando, Carlo, Liberato, Angelo, Giovanni, and Gregorio Toso, Fratelli Toso initially produced pharmaceutical bottles for domestic use. These were soon followed by reproductions of antique glass pieces. In the early 1900s, the company produced objects and chandeliers in the floral style executed with the murrine technique. In 1912 and 1914, Fratelli Toso obtained great success at the Biennale di Venezia by presenting works by the Norwegian artist Hans Stoltberg Lerche. In 1934, however, a remarkable change was noted in their work presented at the Biennale di Venezia. In 1936, the artistic direction of the company was assumed by Ermanno Toso, who progressively revisited the techniques of Murano glass, reinterpreting them in a personal style. These works received widespread acclaim, especially after World War II. During the '60s and '70s, the works of Renato, Giusto and Rosanna Toso, who often used transparent glass, brought a decidedly modern look to the company. The furnace was closed in 1982.

Kiku

Fratelli Toso, 1959-1960