Red Millefiori Murano Glass Bead
This item is a spherical Murano-style art glass lampwork bead, likely intended for jewelry making. The bead features a vibrant opaque red glass core, decorated with an intricate internal landscape of 'millefiori' (a thousand flowers) cane slices and sparkling aventurine copper flecks. The colors within the decorative inclusions consist of deep cobalt blue, white, and hints of yellow, creating a complex, multicolored band around the center of the sphere. The construction indicates handmade lampwork techniques where individual glass canes are fused onto a molten base. The surface appears polished and smooth with high luster, indicative of quality kiln-annealing. While the image is slightly out of focus, the bead seems to be in excellent condition with no visible surface chips or fractures. Such beads are traditional exports from Venice, Italy, often dating from the late 20th century to the contemporary period. The craftsmanship reflects the labor-intensive 'sommerso' or submerged layering technique, common in Venetian art glass. It possesses a vertical drill hole for stringing, often measuring approximately 1-2mm in diameter. The overall aesthetic is one of traditional artisanal glassblowing, characterized by bright primary colors and metallic inclusions.
AI-Generated Appraisal Disclaimer
Estimated Value
$15.00 - $25.00
Basic Information
Category
Jewelry Components / Art Glass
Appraised On
January 28, 2026
Estimated Value
$15.00 - $25.00
Item Description
This item is a spherical Murano-style art glass lampwork bead, likely intended for jewelry making. The bead features a vibrant opaque red glass core, decorated with an intricate internal landscape of 'millefiori' (a thousand flowers) cane slices and sparkling aventurine copper flecks. The colors within the decorative inclusions consist of deep cobalt blue, white, and hints of yellow, creating a complex, multicolored band around the center of the sphere. The construction indicates handmade lampwork techniques where individual glass canes are fused onto a molten base. The surface appears polished and smooth with high luster, indicative of quality kiln-annealing. While the image is slightly out of focus, the bead seems to be in excellent condition with no visible surface chips or fractures. Such beads are traditional exports from Venice, Italy, often dating from the late 20th century to the contemporary period. The craftsmanship reflects the labor-intensive 'sommerso' or submerged layering technique, common in Venetian art glass. It possesses a vertical drill hole for stringing, often measuring approximately 1-2mm in diameter. The overall aesthetic is one of traditional artisanal glassblowing, characterized by bright primary colors and metallic inclusions.
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