2015 Milan Salone Latest Report | Barovier & Toso

Barovier & Toso

Feature: Milan Salone del Mobile 2015

Recreating the Most Beautiful Chandelier Sparkle with LEDs

Venetian glass (Murano glass) is said to be the origin of Italian lighting, with chandeliers as its representative product. The understanding that light passing through glass is most beautiful is common sense in Italy. Barovier & Toso reigns as a top brand, elevating this aesthetic appreciation for glass into sophisticated designer lighting. They brilliantly synchronize traditional products like chandeliers with contemporary creativity.

Text by YUDA Takeshi (TOL STUDIO INC.)

Thorough LED Verification Elevates Chandeliers into Designer Lighting

Lighting brands that focus on chandeliers are positioned as classic brands. Among them, Barovier & Toso currently reigns as the top brand. Its history begins on the island of Murano, the holy land of Venetian glass.

Murano is located about a 30-minute boat ride from Venice. At the end of the 13th century, the Republic of Venice decreed that anyone leaving the island would be put to death, and relocated glass workshops and their artisans to Murano. The concentration of workshops fostered intense competition and refinement of skills, establishing its status as a global center for glass.

All new products utilize LEDs, with the optimal light source selected for each. Because the sparkle of glass changes significantly with its color, pattern, and cut, the light sources are thoroughly tested to ensure the most suitable LED is used for each type of glass. Furthermore, they have overcome the conventional wisdom that 'glass only shines beautifully with incandescent light.'

The new 'Mazzodromo' is a chandelier composed of multiple glass components, created with a modern and bold interpretation. Each glass piece has a different pattern, allowing for various combinations. While it departs from the conservative chandeliers typically imagined, offering a contemporary lightness, the glass parts are individually hand-blown and adorned with traditional patterns.

Also noteworthy are the 'Perseus' and 'Lust' collections designed by Marcel Wanders. 'Perseus' combines various spherical glass elements, retaining the image of a chandelier while achieving a contemporary design. 'Lust' uses cement for its base, creating an engaging juxtaposition of materials. Additionally, gold leaf-infused glass is placed within the shades, enhancing the beauty of the reflected light.

The new creations from Barovier & Toso, which beautifully synchronize traditional, substantial glasswork with creative and light designs, are a testament to their innovation. Amidst classic brands struggling with changing market conditions, they forge ahead, carrying on tradition while weaving a new orthodoxy of Italian lighting through their diverse works.

TOYO KITCHEN STYLE
Tel. 03-6438-1040

http://www.toyokitchen.co.jp/