The exhibition „Millefiori: Ancient Mosaic Glass from Croatia“ is dedicated to one of the most technically and aesthetically fascinating phenomena of Roman glassmaking. The exhibition and its accompanying catalogue were created by Berislav Štefanac, Ph.D., a museum advisor at the Museum of Ancient Glass in Zadar.
Ancient glassmaking shaped a rich and diverse world that gave rise to some of antiquity's most striking creations. Mosaic glass stands out among these, renowned for the intricate patterns and vivid colors that attest to the high level of technical expertise possessed by ancient craftsmen.
One of the most recognizable types of such glass is known today as „millefiori“ ("a thousand flowers"). The name refers to a decorative pattern created by cross-sections of multicolored glass rods, which form motifs resembling flowers, spirals, and other ornaments within the glass surface.
Mosaic glass was a highly prized product in antiquity. Its rich color palette and variety of motifs reflect a sophisticated glassmaking tradition as well as the extensive network of trade and cultural contacts across the Mediterranean region.
The exhibition „Millefiori: Ancient Mosaic Glass from Croatia“ presents archaeological finds from numerous sites across the country's coastal and continental regions, drawing on material held in various museum collections in Croatia and abroad. With this exhibition, the Museum of Ancient Glass in Zadar continues to fulfill its fundamental mission: primarily, the research, preservation, and presentation of the heritage of ancient glassmaking.
