What is Millefiori

Millefiori

Millefiori is one of the best-known glasswork techniques which produce unique decorative patterns on glassware.

 

The word of "Millefiori" consists of two Italian words: "mille" means one thousand and "fiori" means flower.

"Millefiori" representing the pattern of whimsical flowers with beautiful colors was named by maker Apsley Pellatt who first used the term "Milleifori" in his book called "Curiosities of Glass Making" in 1849. The term also appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary.

 

History of Millefiori Glass

Millefiori or Mosaic Beads were used in Phoenician times, Roman times, and Alexandrian times.

Dating from the 15th century, it was the first time that Millefiori Murano Glass were produced using the most famous Murano Glass rods or canes (Murrine Canes). After that, for many years, the art of Millefiori was lost and the technique was only revived in the 19th century.

The patterns are created using molds that are made from canes. Millefiori Murano Glass have a plain exterior look, however, its interior look has versatile patterns including floral, star, heart and geometric patterns.