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
£ 400.00
A fine fragment of Roman millefiori glass, square in shape. The glass fragment features a deep amethyst base colour, which is almost opaque. Interspersed are flecks of white rods, surrounding several vibrant green floral arrangements. Blooming from a red centre, the green petals are incased in a yellow frame. Some of the floral arrangements have blurred and bled into each other and the background, creating a beautiful sense of flowing movement throughout the piece. The piece comes with a customised stand for display.
The measurements listed below include the stand. The piece itself weighs 6.4g, and measures 3cm in length and 3cm in width.
Provenance: Gallery Mikazuki prior 1984, property of a London gentleman
Condition: Fine fragment with some weathering on the jagged edges. The glass is slightly more opaque and rough on one side.
| Weight | 36.8 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 4 x W 2.5 x H 5.2 cm |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| Glass | Drawn & Tooled Glass |
Reference: For a similar item, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 17.194.396.30
