Pair of Murano glass wall sconces by E. Barovier, Italy 1940

A rare and refined pair of Murano wall sconces by Barovier & Toso, designed by Ercole Barovier, Italy, 1940s. Each sconce is composed of a sculptural, fluted cup in Murano crystal with suspended gold leaf particles. The gold is dispersed within the mass of the hand-blown crystal, creating a dense constellation of luminous inclusions that generate extraordinary depth and warmth when illuminated. The effect is rich yet ethereal — the light filtering through the crystal activates the gold fragments, producing a soft, atmospheric radiance. The shade takes the form of an open corolla — a stylized floral cup with a softly scalloped rim and vertically ribbed body. The pronounced vertical fluting elongates the silhouette and amplifies the internal reflections of the crystal, while the subtle striations from the blowing process enhance the material authenticity. The organic curvature of the cup is balanced by a disciplined structural clarity, characteristic of Ercole Barovier’s 1940s production. The glass elements rest on elegant, patinated brass supports of restrained modernist design. The horizontal arm, gently rounded at its edge, provides a refined architectural counterpoint to the expressive vitality of the glass. The warm, naturally developed patina of the brass harmonises perfectly with the golden tonality suspended within the Murano crystal.