Footed millefiori bowl 1875 - 1885

Vincenzo Moretti crafted this millefiori bowl in late 19th-century Italy using glass. The bowl revives a technique used in ancient Rome. The term "millefiori," Italian for "a thousand flowers," reflects the vessel's intricate patterns. We see this revival of classical techniques across Europe at this time as Italian artists looked to the past to create a new sense of national identity. The establishment of museums played a crucial role in displaying historical artifacts which, in turn, influenced contemporary artists. Moretti, like many of his contemporaries, drew inspiration from these collections, adapting ancient methods to suit modern tastes and techniques. This bowl, therefore, isn't just a decorative object. It’s a statement about cultural heritage and the evolving role of art institutions in shaping artistic production. By researching museum archives and historical texts, we can better understand the dialogues between past and present evident in pieces like this.