Fratelli Tosi Venetian mirrors, made with murano glass.
The art of making mirrors has a long history in Venice, going back to the 1540s when expert glassmaker Vincenzo Redor managed to achieve the hitherto impossible – a perfect reflection of himself in glass, bringing to mind the myth of Narcissus. And indeed, the glass was so special, one could fall in love with this new invention easily. Soon, it was sought-after throughout all of Europe, but nobody could be found who could replicate master Redor‘s method of making mirror glass.
Today, mirror glass is abundantly available for nearly everyone to use, yet the Venetian tradition remains unparalleled, breathing soul and a distinct quality into each mirror. Fratelli Tosi are proud to continue this ancient tradition and prepare to transmit it to a future society, acting as safekeepers and enthusiasts of Venice‘s cultural heritage. From the beginning of the twentieth century onward, the Murano based Tosi family has been firmly dedicated to this craft. Started by Romano Tosi, the company was later taken over by Gianfranco Tosi and is now under the ownership of his sons Mirco and Massimo Tosi, having become an internationally celebrated manufacturer of authentic Venetian mirrors.
Fratelli Tosi mirrors murano glass in Venetian style.
The mastery of the Venetian craft of mirrormaking is evident in the production of this manufacturing company. Fratelli Tosi creations present handiwork always done lovingly and precisely, completed by precious materials and ravishing designs. Following a longstanding Venetian tradition, the mirrormaking art of Fratelli Tosi consists of carefully maintained steps towards completion, just as the skills necessary to achieve a product worthy of the „Made in Italy“ label.
The high quality and expertise expressed by each of Fratelli Tosi pieces can be gleaned from the masterful silvering under the use of pure silver, finishings done completely by hand, manual engraving work of the most intricate details, a sophisticated combination of colours and an assembly of all the components by highly skilled, experienced craftspeople carrying on this Venetian art.
Fratelli Tosi Splendid, Handcrafted Authentically Venetian Mirrors
The Fratelli Tosi collection has both unilluminated mirrors and mirrors with a TV inside of them. One can also find Venetian style and French style mirrors, as well as reproductions of actual antique pieces. Fratelli Tosi also offers gorgeous applique mirrors and furniture entirely made up of mirrored components.
Fratelli Tosi Venetian mirrors are represented by fine pieces such as the Tiepolo or Tintoretto – entirely made by hand, the glass is handblown Murano and the engravings have all been manually applied as well. Tiepolo, held in a warm and soft color scheme, is covered with delicate decorative elements in the form of flower petals made out of Murano glass, beautifully enframing the mirrored sections featuring hand-engraved flowery ornaments. With its rounded shape, it has somewhat of a feminine touch. In comparison, Tintoretto is more angular and has a colour scheme that is still soft, yet more solemn.
Zanni, a French style mirror by Fratelli Tosi named after a popular character of the Commedia dell‘arte, it is coated in elegant silver and features filigree ornamental engravings. Comparably simpler to their Venetian counterparts, these French style Murano glass mirrors have a round form and little, but precisely placed decorations which together make for a very harmonious appearance and demonstrate that splendour can be achieved with few elements
