The term Millefiori is an Italian word, "mille" (thousand) and "fiori" (flowers). These designs are made from thin colored glass canes, which are rolled together to form larger canes. With multicolored patterns viewable only from the cut ends of the cane. This piece is then heated in a furnace, pulled until thin while still maintaining the cross section's design, and then cut into beads or discs when cooled. The history of these beautiful beads can be traced back to Ancient Rome, Phoenician and Alexandrian times. Beads, probably made in Italy, have been found as far away as 8th century archaeological sites in Ireland, and used in trading to Africa and India. While the use of this technique long precedes the term millefiori, it is now frequently associated with Venetian glass.
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