Millefiori, is a type of mosaic glass, characterised by its floral patterns. The name itself means ‘a thousand flowers’ in Italian. The technique involved arranging bundles of thin glass rods, of various colours, fusing them together and then drawing them out. They were then cut into cross-sectional fragments and slices to be used as inlays or for larger pieces. Millefiori bowls, for example, would involve large amounts of the sectioned fragments to be applied to an already-blown, hot bowl. The bowl would be heated again, allowing the fragments to fuse seamlessly together and creating a beautiful floral pattern. The millefiori technique was created by Egyptian craftsmen in the 2nd century BC, during the Hellenistic period and used well into the Roman period.
Roman Millefiori Glass Fragment Silver Pendant
£ 295.00
A Roman fragment of millefiori glass, encased in a modern, silver pendant frame. The glass fragment is hexagonal in shape and features a deep amethyst base colour. Interspersed are flecks of yellow rods, surrounding three vibrant turquoise floral arrangements. Within their centre is a red circle, with each blue petal encased in a white frame. The entire glass fragment is then encased in a modern silver frame with an attachment loop at the top. Supplied with a sterling silver chain.
Length of the chain 22cm when closed. With the pendant attached: 26.5cm. Measurements below are for the pendant alone.
Provenance: Ex Gallery Mikazuki prior to 1984 property of a London gentleman.
Condition: Very fine fragment with clear colour definition. Silver pendant frame and chain are modern.
Weight | 8.73 g |
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Dimensions | L 4.5 x W 2 cm |
Glass | Drawn & Tooled Glass |
Metal | Silver |
Region | Southern Europe |
Reference: For Similar: The Corning Museum of Glass, USA, item 64.1.220 A