Among the most fascinating crafts of the island of Murano, the Murrine or Millefiori technique holds a central place. This complex ancestral process, passed down from generation to generation, involves creating multicolored glass rods with varied internal patterns, which are then cut into thin slices to become the famous murrine or Millefiori.
An art of patience and precision
To create a murrine or millefiori baguette, the glassmaker manually and hotly layers several layers of glass of different colors and finishes. Each layer is carefully worked, heated, and stretched.
The result: a baguette with a geometric or floral pattern at its center, invisible until it is cut.
Once the baguette has solidified and cooled, it is then cut into thin slices. These murrines, or Millefiori, then reveal their inner design, resembling a flower or a star. They are often referred to as "millefiori" patterns – literally "a thousand flowers" – because of their delicate and poetic nature.
The Murrines in jewelry creation
For jewelry making, murrines are generally arranged flat in a pattern (circle, square, star, etc.) and then heated to fuse together evenly. This element is then polished or sandblasted depending on the desired finish. The result? A colorful, vibrant piece where each murrine becomes a component of a larger design.
Decorative objects with Murrines
Murrine or millefiori inlays are not only used in jewelry. They are also found incorporated into decorative objects: vases, tableware, plates, and chandeliers, for example. In these cases, the technique evolves: the murrine is applied while hot, at a key stage in the creation of the decorative piece.
Each murrine used is a fragment of tradition and know-how. A touch of color and mastery that tells the story of Murano and its glassmakers.
