Pair of Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso “Rostrato” Glass Wall Sconces, 1940s

An exceptional and highly decorative pair of Rostrato Murano glass wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in the 1940s. Among the most iconic creations of twentieth-century Venetian glassmaking, these sconces perfectly embody Barovier’s revolutionary approach to texture, light, and sculptural form.

Each fixture is composed of a substantial hand-crafted clear Murano glass shade featuring the celebrated Rostrato technique, characterized by hundreds of individually worked crystalline projections that emerge from the surface like frozen droplets or crystalline thorns. This extraordinary treatment transforms the glass into a living, dynamic material, capable of capturing and refracting light from every angle.

The shades are formed as elegant tapered cups with a slightly flared profile, their geometric silhouette softened by the organic rhythm of the rostrato protrusions. The remarkable thickness and quality of the glass create a powerful visual presence even when unlit, while illumination reveals an entirely different character: light is fractured through the crystalline surface, generating a dazzling constellation of reflections and atmospheric shadows across the surrounding wall.

Mounted on refined patinated brass supports with streamlined horizontal ribbing, the sconces display the harmonious balance between sculptural glass and elegant metalwork that defines the finest productions of Barovier & Toso. The warm brass patina complements the crystalline transparency of the glass and enhances the sophisticated mid-century aesthetic.

Particularly striking in person, these wall lights possess an architectural quality that allows them to function both as lighting and as decorative sculptures. Their timeless elegance makes them equally suitable for sophisticated contemporary interiors, historic residences, luxury hospitality projects, and important collections of Italian design.

The glass elements are preserved in remarkably good condition, displaying excellent clarity and maintaining the exceptional sculptural definition that makes the Rostrato series one of Ercole Barovier’s most celebrated achievements.