Laguna Gemmata

This large fan-shaped vase, crafted starting from colorless glass, is part of the "Laguna Gemmata" series. It exhibits an irregular azure hue, achieved through the technique of colorazione a caldo senza fusione (hot coloring without melting) which involves embedding unmelted foreign materials into molten glass. The vase is adorned with heavy morise (decorative elements) applied with heat along its side friezes and sits on a thick crystal base.

Ercole Barovier, in the same era, created several series including Autunno Gemmatao, "Laguna Gemmata," "Marina Gemmata," and Crepuscolo. These collections were distinguished by their unique method of coloring glass without melting it and by their substantial forms, which were emblematic of the mid-20th century Murano glassmaking tradition. These innovative collections were showcased at the 1936 Universal Exhibition in Brussels  where they were awarded a diploma of honor, recognizing their artistic and technical excellence.

It is worth noting how the quotations for this collection have acquired remarkable values, as reported in this 2015 auction.

---

 

---

EXHIBITIONS
1936, Venice, Biennale; 1951, Milan, Angelicum, Personale di Ercole Barovier, 1952, Venice, Biennale, Mostra del cinquantenario; 1975, Murano, Mostra antologica dei vetri di Ercole Barovier, 1976, Venice, Biennale,
Retrospettiva personale di Ercole Barovier.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Art Of The Barovier, Attilia Dorigato
Mostra antologica dei vetri di Ercole Barovier, 1975;
Vetri Murano oggi, 1981, fig. 12;
Barovier Mentasti, 1982, fig. 279;
Vetri di Murano: ieri e oggi, 1982, fig. 139;
Barovier Mentasti, 1992, p. 80, fig. 70.

CREDITS
Rago Wright