If Venice’s renown is glass-blowing, the island of Murano has a seven-century-old artisanal practise, that of bead making. The millefiori or mosaic sample shown here awaits its final polishing step, after which hole for threading is left. Originally a masculine artisanal practise, bead making has become women’s work, and men are now reserved to the technical and commercial aspects. The Mucem between 2003 and 2004 has collected various samples from the Ercole et Moretti company, the oldest of Italian glass bead manufacturers.

Date of Production: 2003

Place of Design: Murano, Italy

Glass, metal

Access number: inv. 2003.49.34.1

Museum: Mucem