From amber nuances to metallic highlights, Venetian crystal meets three hues of exceptional elegance
Caramel, Cognac, Brown: these are the warmest tones in the colour range of Venetian crystal by Barovier&Toso. They are based on nature, colourful autumn landscapes, linking back to an epoch in which these hues pervaded and scented the city of Venice. There was a time, in fact, when the Rialto market was a riot of spices from the East. The Venetian Republic had the monopoly on these products, and all spices arriving in Europe had to pass through the San Marco basin. Coveted and costly, they were used by the wealthy as a sign of status. Venice’s fortune was built on spices, together with other goods of great value such as silk and precious stones.
In the meantime, the nearby island of Murano was full of glassworks, and its narrow streets became the preferred location for the practice of the art of glassmaking. Master craftsmanship, extraordinary skill and experimentation were the main ingredients inside those workshops, where the history and reputation of Murano took form. Materials from the Orient had a role in glassmaking as well, such as silica for vitrification, soda lime and wood for fuel. Humble materials which in the hands of master glassmakers become precious works of art. For 700 years, Barovier&Toso has continued to produce creations in blown glass, with a sartorial approach to respond to specific and individual needs.
Colour is a fundamental feature, because it interacts on a deep level with the design of the object and the interiors in which the items find their context, in a game of tastes and balances. Every colour has its own characteristics, and choosing the tones becomes a fascinating challenge when we are faced with the extraordinary range of specimens offered by Barovier&Toso. In particular, the Caramel colour is very luminous and lively, with golden highlights and shadings of orange. It provides vivid contrasts with metal finishes, permitting the creation of very striking combinations that bring remarkable character to spaces. The Cognac colour stands out for its discreet, refined charm that never goes unnoticed.
The transparent glow of Venetian crystal embraces a pale, almost ethereal but forcefully expressive hue. Its versatility is boundless, and it fits into both contemporary and classic atmospheres with extreme nonchalance. The colour Brown is surprising for its elegance and allure. It is a warm tone, never too intense, developed by Barovier&Toso for lovers of glamour. The bronze highlights of the crystal interact with light and contribute to make spaces sophisticated, both in the home and in more formal settings. Some of the creations of Barovier&Toso, such as Perseus and Manhattan, call for multicolour combinations in which the tones of Cognac and Brown appear together, in relation to transparent, white or grey crystal, forming an elaborate, intriguing palette.
