Murrine (murrina and murrini)

Murrine are slices of glass cane whose pattern is visible in cross-section. Murrina is the singular form, and the spelling murrini also occurs. Canes can be assembled from several colours and drawn out before being cut into slices. The slices become components of a larger glass object.

The Corning Museum of Glass explains that millefiori, with flower-like patterns, is one type of murrine. Murrine therefore need not depict flowers. The Museo del Vetro describes assembling and fusing such elements into mosaic-like glass or incorporating them in blown objects.

Record the pattern, colours and arrangement of the components. Distinguish the technique from simply applied glass threads and from painted floral decoration. Resemblance to a familiar pattern alone does not establish manufacture on Murano or identify a workshop. Attribution requires additional evidence concerning the particular object.

Sources: Corning Museum of Glass: definisjoner; Museo del Vetro: fremstilling og bruk.