Just imagine: while in one country, the founding of the state is taking place, in another the cornerstone of a business is being laid, which then becomes the world’s oldest industrial dynasty. Hard to believe? By now, the establishment of Switzerland in 1291 should be sufficiently well known and documented. However, much less well known but even more interesting is the fact that just four years later the Barovier family started a life’s work that would span the generations, with the founding of their glass manufacturing business in Murano: today, Barovier&Toso is a glowing example of how continuous progress and how innovative tradition can be.
The taxi boat docks gently at the jetty. From Venice, you can reach the tiny offshore island of Murano in less than ten minutes, which has always been associated with the art of glass-blowing. Ever since the late 13th century, both the Barovier and Toso families have been some of the main protagonists of this trade. The merger of the companies into a single business can be viewed as a key strategic step in terms of synergy, success and growth: nowadays Barovier&Toso is one of the oldest commercial enterprises and the fifth oldest family business in the world, with an excellent international reputation. Located in the elegant Palazzo Contarini, which dates back to the 17th century, you will not only find the company headquarters, but this place is also home to a museum, which provides a sense of connection with the past. The museum collection displays some of the Barovier family’s private pieces – some exhibits are widely known and have been shown at many exhibitions. In addition, there are some historical archives with design studies, drawings and work documents on view. Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed due to renovation. Once it has reopened, it will be even more worth a visit as the stroll through the past clearly shows what was accomplished here over the centuries. The name Barovier&Toso stands for the creation and manufacture of high-quality lighting concepts: the lamps and lights uniquely combine the art of glass with sophisticated design and innovative spirit. The concentration on exclusive lighting products came about in the 1990s due to increasing competition from China, as before this heavy items and containers were also produced. The concept has stood the test of time: for a long time now, the list of customers has included reputable clientele from the fields of architecture, interior design, interior furnishings and light art. The showroom’s international luxury labels – Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier and many more – are elegantly staged using the individually developed Barovier&Toso concepts, creating suitably atmospheric surroundings for the fine range of products. And even luxury hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria in New York, the Four Seasons in Florence and the Ritz Carlton in Istanbul shine under the brilliant lighting provided by this Venetian manufacturer. They are impressive examples of how rooms can be cleverly characterised using lighting. One-off customer products such as the spectacular chandelier that was created for the King of Saudi Arabia are just as unusual in design as the items in the current collections. Barovier&Toso caters for every taste with a wide range of models, designs and colours. You can experience a new interpretation of traditional lighting, modern contemporary product models and previously unseen, avant-garde designer products that attract the attention of every onlooker.
The exceptional Barovier&Toso lighting products can not only be admired in Murano, but also in the showroom in Milan. One look at the Hanami ceiling lights reminds one of air bubbles rising to the surface – with irregular, hand blown balls of fine filament. Like small pillows in white and gold, the elements of Alumina have the effect of a striking and at the same time transparent and subtly effective wall lamp. The Escher wall light has the appearance of a light-filled curtain: the contrast between opaque and transparent glass elements and geometric shapes gives the room an unbelievable radiance from this designer item alone. Medina or Shadow Taif display oriental elegance, while Perseus makes a modern statement with its daring style. The innovative spirit that is visible here is a traditional aspect of the Barovier&Toso brand: as far back as the 19th and 20th centuries, the unusual has been a trademark of its products. In particular, the pioneering spirit of Ercole Barovier deserves attention: he managed Barovier&Toso for 40 years as head designer and was continually developing new manufacturing processes. His works can be found today at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris or the Corning Museum in New York. He ensured that Barovier&Toso was present at the major world exhibitions in Berlin, New York, Brussels and Paris and he attracted renowned designers to collaborate with the company, including Franco Albini, Toni Zuccheri, Matteo Thun and Rodolfo Dordoni. His high design standards and passion for glamorous product staging through lighting have continued to benefit the business up to the present day.
