Among the many techniques of glassblowing art, one stands out for its complexity, beauty and variety. We are talking about millefiori.
The term "millefiori" is translated from Italian as "thousand flowers", which perfectly embodies the essence of this stunning glass art form. Usually, the surface of the finished product resembles a blooming field.
The production of mosaic beads can be traced back to ancient Roman, Phoenician and Alexandrian times. Glass sticks made in Italy were found in archaeological excavations dated to the 8th century in Ireland, and thin slices of millefiori were used in 7th century Anglo-Saxon jewelry from Sutton Hoo. However, it was the Murano masters who perfected and popularized this technique: they brought it to the pinnacle of artistic expression.
Until the 15th century, Murano glassblowers created beads from Rosette sticks, which were made by layering glass of different colors and forming long "sausages" from it. Masters stretched the soft glass from both ends until the required thickness was reached. After cooling and hardening, it was cut into short segments in the form of sticks for further processing. At the final stage, the sticks were divided into separate beads, the combination of which was used to create a necklace.
Although the millefiori glassblowing technique dates back centuries, it continues to flourish in modern times. Murano craftsmen still carry out the entire process by hand, so each item they create is unique.
Modern technology resembles its historical predecessors. It involves the creation of complex patterns or drawings by fusing small multi-colored glass sticks. These rods have different patterns, ranging from flowers and stars to abstract elements and geometric shapes. After the rods are heated, they are stretched and cut into thin cross-sections. This is how the stunning mosaic effect in glass is created.
Glass objects made using this technique remain very popular among collectors and connoisseurs of jewelry. Their timeless beauty, meticulous craftsmanship and connection to a rich historical tradition make them valuable works of art.
