Giuseppe Barovier

Acquired by the present owner in 1992

Mostra dei fiori, Associazione orticola professionale Italiana, Venice, 1914

Mille Anni di Arte del Vetro a Venezia, exh. cat., Comune di Venezia, Venice, 1982, p. 249, no. 487
L’Arte dei Barovier: Vetrai di Murano 1966-1972, exh. cat., Galleria Marina Barovier, Venice, 1993, p. 47, no. 20
Giovanni Sarpellon, Miniature Masterpieces: Mosaic Glass: 1838-1924, New York, 1995, p. 154, no. 1055 and p. 156, no. 1058
Sheldon Barr, Venetian Glass: Confections in Glass: 1855-1914, New York, 1998, p. 47 (for a detail of the murrine)

Overall in excellent original condition. Please note that this vase is illustrated to scale in the printed catalogue. The glass with a few minute air bubbles and particulate inclusions inherent in the making and not at all visually disruptive. The glass surfaces with a few occasional light surface scratches consistent with age and gentle handling. An extremely rare opportunity to acquire a vase model produced for the 1914 Mostra dei fiori in Venice, executed with delicate and masterful craftsmanship.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1914, the Associazione orticola professionale Italiana organised the “Mostra dei fiori” under the arches of the Doges palace in Venice. To commemorate the event, the organisation asked two of the most reputed glass manufacturers on Murano, Fratelli Toso and Artisti Barovier, to design two vases, one for short-stemmed flowers, the other for long-stemmed flowers. Out of the group of (anonymously) presented objects, two were chosen. Coincidentally, both belonged to the contribution of Artisti Barovier. All executed objects had a murrine seal which included the letters AMF (standing for A[rtisti Barovier] M[ostra dei] F[iori] 1914). Though only a limited number was ever produced, the delicate execution by Giuseppe Barovier, who used an innovative complex murrine, made this small vase one of the most iconic pieces among 20th century Murano glass. 
– Marc Heiremans