Murano Glass Chandelier attributed to Ercole Barovier, 1940s

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This extraordinary chandelier, attributed to Ercole Barovier and dating to the 1940s, represents one of the most poetic expressions of … Read more This extraordinary chandelier, attributed to Ercole Barovier and dating to the 1940s, represents one of the most poetic expressions of postwar Murano glassmaking. The piece seems to emerge directly from the Venetian lagoon: a suspended vegetal organism, almost like a luminous water lily or a marine flower crystallized in glass. Crafted entirely in transparent Murano glass, the chandelier is composed through an extraordinary orchestration of leaf-like elements and sculpted petals, each distinguished by a vibrant and highly detailed texture. The surface of the glass, dense with reliefs and delicate micro-undulations, captures the light and transforms it into liquid reflections — a signature of Ercole Barovier’s exploration of glass as a living material. This is not merely decorative glass: it is glass that feels alive, almost epidermal. The central structure, elongated and twisted, introduces a subtle brass detail — discreet and refined — whose role is to accompany the glass without ever dominating it. This approach is deeply aligned with Barovier’s aesthetic during the 1950s: metal is never ostentatious, but rather used as a silent and necessary element that allows the composition to breathe. The large curved leaves opening around the luminous body recall the biomorphic experiments of the period, when Murano sought to move away from historical ornamentation toward a more organic and modern visual language. Here, the chandelier does not appear constructed: it seems grown. Even the large upper glass element, shaped like a moving corolla, contributes to that sensation of a suspended sculpture that Ercole Barovier made internationally celebrated within Italian design. When unlit, the piece possesses the delicacy of a transparent sculpture. When illuminated, however, the glass comes alive: the textures glow from within, and the chandelier acquires the theatrical presence of a marine creature or a Venetian nocturnal flower. It is a work that fully belongs to that unrepeatable moment in Murano’s history when art, craftsmanship, and poetic experimentation coexisted in perfect balance. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution,
Up to 250V (Europe/UK Standard).The wiring of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise. See less