As the Renaissance dawned, the art of glass-making continued to evolve. Artists like those in Murano, Italy, became renowned for their exquisite glass designs, employing techniques such as millefiori and filigree. In the 19th century, the advent of industrialization introduced mass production techniques, yet there remained a niche market for handmade decorative glass. Today, the legacy of these traditions continues, inspiring a new generation of glass artists.
The oldest known pieces of glass are similar in use and processing to gemstones, often cold rather than hot, and cut rather than melted. Artisans cut and polish glass and set it in jewelry. At some point, our distant ancestors discovered how to cast glass in molds to produce utensils. Before the art of glass blowing was popularized, craftsmen were able to make glass tiles, small mirrors, and many different types of vessels that could be used to store wine, perfumes, medicines, and other valuable substances.