Ercole Barovier “Rostrato” Murano Glass Bonbonnière | Barovier&Toso

A wonderfully sculptural Rostrato Murano glass bonbonnière, attributed to Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, dating to circa the 1940s.

Developed by Ercole Barovier in the late 1930s, Rostrato is one of the most distinctive techniques of twentieth-century Venetian glass. The surface is created through layers of glass that form irregular, raised projections across the body, giving the piece an almost crystalline, organic quality. First presented at the Venice Biennale in 1938, the technique became one of Barovier’s most celebrated contributions to modern Murano glass.

This petite bonbonnière is particularly beautiful for its compact, sculptural form. Its deeply textured surface catches the light from every angle, creating an interplay of transparency, shadow and sparkling highlights. Despite its substantial weight of approximately 600g, the irregular glasswork gives the piece a wonderfully delicate, almost mineral-like appearance.

At approximately 14 cm across, it is an elegant scale for a dressing table, coffee table or console — equally beautiful filled with sweets or treasured small objects, or simply displayed as a piece of Italian glass sculpture.

A beautiful example of the experimental spirit of mid-century Venetian glass, and especially lovely paired with its matching Rostrato vase.