Ercole Barovier Exceptional Pulegoso Glass Vase with Applied Discs, 1930s

An extraordinarily rare example of Ercole Barovier’s early 1930s experimentation with the pulegoso technique, this sculptural vase represents one of the most sought-after chapters in Venetian glass history. Its elongated oval form, thick walls and perfectly distributed trapped bubbles create a luminous, almost lunar texture, further elevated by the six applied clear-glass discs arranged symmetrically along the body.

Pieces of this calibre rarely appear on the market. A closely related model is currently exhibited in Venice at Le Stanze del Vetro, confirming this vase’s significance within Barovier’s pioneering production of the period. The pulegoso technique, developed and refined by Ercole Barovier, involves the controlled introduction of minute air bubbles into dense molten glass, giving the surface its unmistakable organic vibrancy and opalescent depth.

Hand-blown and finished by the master glassmakers of Barovier, the vase displays exceptional craftsmanship. The applied discs are perfectly fused, each one thick, clear and intentionally irregular – a hallmark of pre-war Murano production. The colour is a soft, very pale green typical of the era, allowing the internal micro-bubbles to read clearly across the surface.

Condition: Museum-grade preservation. No cracks, no hairlines, no restorations. Only minimal signs of age consistent with nearly a century of life. Extremely rare in this state of conservation.

This is not merely a decorative object: it is a historic artefact of early 20th-century Murano innovation, suitable for serious collectors, institutions and refined interiors seeking a piece of authentic Venetian heritage