Chandelliers for flagship Dolce & Cabbana store by Barovier

The story of Italian glass goes back to Roman times and the earliest reference to the Barovier family stems from 1291. It was then that they were banished to the island of Murano, a small island in the Venetian lagoon.

At that time, the Venetian authorities wanted to protect the city against possible fire that might be caused by the 'glass blowers' and their furnaces. Others suspected that the authorities wanted to keep the Venitian techniques of glass making to themselves.

Either way, the furnaces and their operators were sent to Murano.

The Baroviers are still there today.

The Baroviers big break came in 1450 when Angelo Barovier invented what became more commonly known as 'crystalline glass' or crystal glass. This lightweight, clear glass became a favourite of the Italian elite and is still used by all of us across the world today.

Today, the Baroviers are still inventing and improving their glassware and in keeping with the Internet age, you can now purchase a limited amount of their glassware online.

At Toffsworld, we recommend you take a look, as each and every item is a collectors piece. Prices online tend to start at about £700 or €1,000.

Barovier Glass of Italy