Heritage
Venice in the mirror
Reflection of his face in the water evoked an art form in Vincenzo Redor which he consecrated throughout his life. In 1540 the Venetian master glassmaker and ancient lover of deep Mediterranean wisdom, created something that nobody had ever seen before: the perfect outline of his own image reflected in a mirror.
Redor's sublime art was, by then, the pride of Venice: the whole world envied his unparalleled mastery trying to discover his secret in every possible way. Maybe the Sun King, Louis XIV, was able to do so in his most luxurious palace. Although nobody ever reached the style, the prestige and the beauty of Venice’s soul: its mirror. A tradition that the Tosi family has been safeguarding and projecting into the future for more than a hundred years.
Family Art
The Tosi family inherited this ancient art of Venetian mirror making at the beginning of the twentieth century, in Murano, bringing it to the height of its expression. From the hands of Romano, the family’s modern patriarch, and then Gianfranco, the wisdom of giving soul to our reflections has been brought to the present day and entrusted to the care of his children, Mirco and Massimo.
The sublime art of the Tosi family is renowned worldwide and confirmed in the creation of its mirrors, furniture and furnishing solutions of incomparable beauty, which are customised and made to measure, even when they come from the designs of trusted designers. Silvering perfection carried out using only pure silver, the accuracy of engravings and grindings that are exclusively hand finished, the glittering universe of colours and the care taken in the final assembly make every Tosi creation an indisputable masterpiece.
Fratelli Tosi has the pleasure to announce the introduction of a prestigious brand Fratelli Barbini Glass Mirror Murano that will integrate our already existing collection of mirrors and accessories in artistic glass, produced with craftsmanship for more than a century. With the Exclusivity of using the new brand, we strongly want to Preserve and guarantee the continuity on the island of the artistic production of Murano mirrors.
Our Timeline
The Tosi family has more than a century of history in the production of Venetian mirrors. A long family tradition which still today creates and produces unique pieces, perpetuating the work of the "Murano mirror makers", one of the oldest crafts recognised as the only handmade artistic expression on the island of Murano.
1540
Vincenzo Redor
In 1540, the Venetian Vincenzo Redor patented and invented the Venetian mirror with a flat and regular surface. From here the art of the mirror became widespread and in the 16th century the engraving with diamond on the glass produced on Murano. In the following century, the decorative mirrors developed and their frames were covered with lists of bevelled mirrors and lacquered wooden parts.
1900
The Patriarch: Romano
In the early 1900s, grandfather Romano Tosi learnt the art of Murano mirror making, uncovering its secrets and mastering its peculiarities day by day. This is how he became one of the best "specieri" (glassmakers) on the island, giving rise to what would soon become the production sought all over the world.
1970
Son Gianfranco
When our father Gianfranco was a child, he enjoyed spending his days in grandfather Romano's workshop. He preferred to admire the mirror making process and occasionally, when allowed, he helped the workers in the delicate packaging work, thinking that that unique piece, created by his father's skilled hands, would reach the homes of some wealthy bourgeois. As an adult, he undertook his father's work with great satisfaction, treasuring the teachings received and passing on the passion to his sons Massimo and Mirco.
2000
The Brothers: Massimo and Mirco
Today, brothers Massimo and Mirco Tosi, at the helm of the family business, bear witnesses to their family heritage by carrying on this ancient craft that is a guarantee for the Murano mirror makers' art, a unique excellence recognised as an exclusive "artistic expression" handmade on the island.
2021
Fratelli Barbini becomes Fratelli Tosi Brand
Fratelli Tosi introduces the prestigious Fratelli Barbini Venezia Glass Mirror brand that will integrate with Barbini mirrors, the already existing collection of mirrors and accessories in signed Murano glass, produced with craftsmanship for over a century. With the exclusivity of using the new brand, we strongly want to preserve and ensure the continuity of the artistic production of Barbini Murano mirrors.