Millefiori Glass Paperweight

This is a vintage millefiori art glass paperweight, likely of Murano, Italian origin. The piece is circular with a domed profile, showcasing a vibrant concentric or scattered arrangement of multicolored glass canes embedded in clear crystal. The 'millefiori' (thousand flowers) technique is evident in the cross-sectioned canes featuring floral and geometric patterns in shades of cobalt blue, ruby red, white, and sunny yellow. The construction involves bundling thin glass rods to create a complex internal pattern that is then encased in a heavy glass gather. The glass appears to have high clarity with a smooth, polished surface, though a hand-written adhesive label ('Mille-Fiori 84-AA') is currently applied to the top. The canes show varying degrees of detail, with some featuring traditional six-petal flower motifs and starburst centers. Regarding its condition, the surface appears largely intact without major visible chips or deep scratches, though fine surface wear consistent with age is expected on the base. There are no prominent maker's marks visible in the photograph, but the style is characteristic of mid-20th-century Venetian glassmaking. The craftsmanship reflects a high-quality artisanal process, where the alignment of the canes indicates careful placement before the final encasement. Such pieces were popular exports from Italy during the 1950s through the 1980s.

Explore similar items and categories: