History of York

200AD - 250AD

Millefiori is Italian for 1000 flowers.  It is the name given to this particularly delicate and beautiful form of decoration.  The flowers are formed by joining and stretching coloured strips of glass which are then cut to reveal the pattern.

The object so carefully decorated is a Roman soldier's belt plate.  Soldiers were wealthy, high-status individuals and they were allowed to augment their uniforms with the evidence - 3rd century 'bling'.

The plate may well have been used on a sword-belt, given its date most likely belonging to a soldier of the sixth legion.  Surprisingly few Roman military objects have been found within the walls of the original fortress, this one was found at 9 Blake Street.