Details
Description
An exceptional and increasingly rare discovery: a pair of original barovier & toso table lamps dating to the late 1970s, …
Read more
An exceptional and increasingly rare discovery: a pair of original barovier & toso table lamps dating to the late 1970s, preserved as old warehouse stock and never used since their original production. The lamps remain accompanied by their original barovier & toso labels, factory stickers, certificate of authenticity and multilingual guarantee booklet. Their remarkable completeness, together with their unused condition, makes this pair an especially desirable find for collectors of historic murano glass and italian lighting. Each sculptural body was entirely handcrafted in murano according to techniques rooted in the island’s centuries-old glassmaking tradition. The blown glass is executed in a luminous rose-pink tone and enriched throughout with genuine gold leaf, carefully incorporated into the molten glass during the making process. Rather than sitting on the surface, the gold leaf is suspended within the thickness of the crystal, where it appears as a fine, shimmering constellation of golden fragments. This gives the glass extraordinary depth and an inner radiance that changes continuously according to the surrounding light. Deep vertical optic ribs shape the elongated baluster form, gathering the colour and gold leaf along the contours before releasing them again across the smoother sections of the body. Depending on the angle of view, the glass shifts from delicate blush pink to warmer coral, salmon, amber and gold tones. The lower section rests upon a broad, fluted base, also enriched with gold leaf, while a clear crystal collar separates the two main volumes. This transparent junction introduces a refined pause within the composition and emphasizes the handcrafted complexity of the construction. Every slight variation in the rhythm of the ribs, the thickness of the crystal and the distribution of the gold leaf is a natural result of the entirely handmade process. These differences make each lamp unique while preserving their beautiful harmony as a pair. As stated in the original barovier & toso documentation supplied with the lamps, every piece was individually made by hand, following ancient murano techniques whose origins date back to the fourteenth century, and subjected to rigorous quality controls before leaving the furnace. Although produced during the late 1970s, the lamps retain the timeless elegance for which barovier & toso is celebrated: balanced proportions, technically sophisticated glassmaking and a refined use of colour and precious materials. Their design belongs to the company’s post-ercole barovier production and should therefore be attributed to barovier & toso rather than directly to ercole, who died in 1974. The lamps are completed with newly handcrafted ivory fabric shades. A delicate pink trim follows the upper and lower edges of each shade, intentionally echoing the rose tone of the murano glass and creating a subtle visual continuity between body and diffuser. When illuminated, the shades produce a soft, warm glow, while the gold leaf inside the glass becomes especially luminous. Finding a single example in such complete condition is uncommon; discovering a matching pair that has remained unused in warehouse storage, with its labels and original documentation still preserved, is exceptionally rare. Condition: preserved in outstanding unused old-stock condition. The glass bodies are in excellent condition, with no cracks, chips or restorations. Only negligible traces associated with long-term storage may be present. The original barovier & toso labels, factory stickers, certificate of authenticity and guarantee booklet are included. Dimensions: total height: 55.5 cm shade: 35 cm lower diameter × 25 cm upper diameter glass base: 15 cm diameter condition note: the fixtures are preserved in outstanding original condition. As with all vintage lighting, we recommend professional inspection and rewiring if required for safe operation and compliance with contemporary local electrical standards. Forme will provide a plug adapter for immediate use in the united states. The lamps can operate there without modification; however, because u.s. Mains voltage is approximately half that of european voltage, the light output will be softer and less intense unless the lamps are rewired for local specifications. 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
- Dimensions
- 13.78ʺW × 13.78ʺD × 21.65ʺL
- Period
- 1970s
- Country of Origin
- Italy
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Glass
- Gold
- Condition
- Good Condition, Unknown, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Beige
Returns & Cancellations
Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Cancellation Policy - Prior to shipping or local pickup, buyers may cancel an order for up to 48 hours, unless otherwise specified.
Related Collections
- Tiffany Studios Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Jules Wabbes Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Archimede Seguso Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Medium-Density Fibreboard Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Salviati Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Wool Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Marie Flanigan Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Borosilicate Glass Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Classical Roman Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Copper Finish Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Murano Glass Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Spanish Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Plaster Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Restoration Hardware Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Art Deco Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Plug In Wall Sconces
- French Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Brass Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Mid-Century Modern Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Tole Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Brutalist Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Italian Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Hollywood Regency Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Gothic Sconces and Wall Lamps
- Victorian Sconces and Wall Lamps