| Original Message: Re: Millefiori Pi Ornaments |
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Hi Paula, I'm not sure of the import of your reply. These pi ornaments (and many other shapes) have been widely available for the past five years. They are derived from bars of glass that are composed from millefiori canes, then divided, and finally lapidary-worked and drilled. This is such a departure from Venetian work, or that of any conventional industry, these products are very recognizable (as new and Chinese). The interesting thing about the new Chinese millefiori beads Russ has shown is that they copy CONVENTIONAL lampworking techniques—and because of this they more strongly resemble the beads they imitate. THIS is what I was referring to when I mentioned I expected to see these beads at Tucson this year—because it was only late last year that ANY lampworked millefiori beads from China appeared in the marketplace. And my assumption was that by 2008 there would be lots of them. But apparently, that was a premature expectation. Nevertheless, I would be very surprised if we did not see many lampworked beads that (reasonably well) imitate European trade beads and export beads—and soon. Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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