Mosaic

The use of mosaic can be traced back some 4,000 years or more with terracotta inserts used for decoration.  Pebble pavements were introduced by the eighth century BC with the use of different coloured stones.  The Greeks took this further in the fourth century BC by creating geometric patterns and scenes of people and animals.  By 200 BC materials were manufactured specially for this purpose known as (“tesserae”) sometimes only a few millimetres in size, allowing the artist to create intricate patterns and paintings.  Pompeii has many fine examples of this work.

Glass was often used for wall mosaic, being unsuitable and too delicate for floor art, the glass were often of vivid colours and reflected light giving an ethereal appearance.  Small cubes of marble or other stone, sometimes pottery, such as terracotta or brick in a range of colours were also used. 

With the expansion of the Roman Empire the use of  mosaics expanded further afield, although the quality and skill became less expert, being simpler in design and less intricate.  Typical Roman creations were scenes celebrating their gods, domestic themes and geometric designs.

In the 5th Century and the rise of the Byzantine Empire a new art form emerged with the inclusion of Eastern influences.  Special glass called “smalti” manufactured in northern Italy was made from thick sheets of coloured glass having a rough surface and containing tiny air bubbles and were sometimes backed with reflective silver or gold leaf.  Byzantines specialised in wall coverings and ceilings with the “smarti” left un-grouted allowing light to reflect and refract within the glass 
By the 8th Century  in the west of Europe the Moors brought Islamic mosaic and tile art into the Iberian Peninsula with mainly geometric and mathematical motifs, good examples of this can be seen in Spain at the Great Mosque at Cordoba and the Alhambra Palace.  In Arabic countries a distinctive style called “zillij” mosaic was used, using purpose-made ceramic shapes which were further worked by hand to allow them to fit together perfectly to cover a surface.

In the home today, mosaic tiles have become a popular way of creating a unique and versatile look for bathrooms and kitchens and are the optimum choice for swimming pools, being practical, hardwearing, waterproof, frost proof and colourfast.   The options for working with mosaics today are vast giving the opportunity to create your own work of art or just enhance your home with a look loved for centuries.

Mosaic tiles are sheet backed making an ideal choice for large expanses of wall, flowing curved surfaces and smaller areas and come in a variety of finishes and sizes using Travertine, Limestone and Marble. The natural materials used for mosaic gives the option of many beautiful colours from the cool stone to the dramatic black, being plain or with a natural vein the choices are endless.  With the option of the lovely natural look of the soft tumbled  to the classy highly polished, mosaic tiles will suit every decor and create a look to be loved and envied.