Millefiori Glass: Distinctive Floral Patterns and Vibrant Colors Millefiori glass has an exclusive history encompassing several ancient civilizations. The history of this type of glasscan be traced as far as the ancient Egypt. Mainly, millefiori takes its name from the Italian language, but it was created in different traditions at different times. So, we can’t credit it to one particular culture. However, millefiori was mastered by Murano or Venetian glass artists. Furthermore, millefiori glass was referred to as mosaic glass. It is distinguished for its unique floral patterns and gorgeous colors. From jewelry, tiles to colorful vases and kitchen glassware, the common uses of this form of glass have not much changed over the times. These are made by fusing slender glass rodsor canes of different colors. The fused rod is then pulled and sliced into thin discswhich are subsequently arranged into a pattern and moulded together to form one larger piece, otherwise known as murrine. In Venice, millefiori rods are used to create an array of vases, sculptures, perfume bottles, centerpieces, plates, jewelry, etc.
Uses of Millefiori in the Early Stages According to history, the Egyptian production of mosaic glass was followed by Persian, Islamic and the Roman. Then the technology of mosaic glass was lost for several centuries and then revived again in Venicearound the 15th century. There are many early uses of millefiori glass such as:
During the first century, Romans used millefiori in glass bowls. From fourth to first century B.C.E. Persians were first to use glass mosaic beads in ornate jewelry. Around 850 C.E. Iraq used it as floor tiles in the rooms of palaces. From the first to third C.E. the northern Iran used millefiori in tombs.
Millefiori Glass Revival