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Millefiori- now and then
In the second half of the
fourteenth century a new technique for manufacturing vibrantly colorful glass
dishes and jewelry evolved in Mesopotamia. The method was used in ancient Egypt
and reached its peak in the Hellenistic period. The new method was made up of three stages;
- Firstly, a number of colored glass rods are held together and fused in
to a multi-colored rod.
- Secondly, pliers are used to stretch the rod until it becomes a long,
thin thread. This causes the original design that was created at the time of
fusion of the rods to decrease in size but not change.
- Lastly, the colorful rod is sliced, with each slice showing a one dimensional
picture on its face.
With
time, this method spread around the world until it reached the Italian island
of Moreno in the fourteenth century. Nowadays, the method is known by the
Italian name given to the method, "Millefiori," which means "A
Thousand Flowers," and pays tribute to the colorful effect created by the
molding of the different colored rods together.
In
2004, Adi Prahia and Sami Leder opened the first Adina Plastelina studio in
Kibbutz Rosh Hanikra. It was then that they revitalized the centuries-old
Millefiori method by using polymer clay in place of the traditional glass rods.
The polymer clay is naturally soft and as a result the melting and reducing
process is carried out manually by rolling and tightening the rods which
results in more accurate, richer results than glass.
The
patterns created by Adi, Sami and their dedicated team make use of natural
colors such as Malachite, Coral and Mercury and natural textile textures such
as leopard and hounds tooth. In
addition, eastern ornamental work also features in their pieces, in tribute to
the ancient techniques and the pieces are also inspired by the works of Gustav
Klimt.
As well
as the Millefiori process, importance is given to the designing the jewelry
item in Adina Plastelina. The pieces that feature silver are manufactured using
various silversmith techniques and such pieces are shaped in ways that are
influenced by elements from the plant and animal kingdom, Israeli culture and
the material world.
Adina
Plastelina pieces are completed with a coating of clear enamel which provides a
glossy, glass-like, rich look.
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