The complex mosaic technique fuses in heat a bundle of glass threads of differing colors into a rod, which is then sliced cross-section into discs, each bearing a design. They are then placed inside a mold and reheated and melted together to form a vessel bearing symphony of colors. After cooling, the surface of the vessel is polished. Bowls such as this example were treasured by Romans of means as luxury tableware, especially for its laborious method of creation and the beauty of the myriad, colorful patterns created. The history of this technique began in ancient Egypt which then influenced the Hellenistic and Roman artists. The Venetian glassmakers were inspired by the Romans to create from mosaic to millefiori ("thousand flowers"). Patellae (singular patella) are Roman drinking cups common in the first century AD, usually with a double-convex profile (with the rim larger than the bowl) on a foot-ring.