A BRIEF HISTORY OF MOSAIC

It has been called the eternal art form. In its earliest application, the use of mosaics was found in use as ancient pebble floor coverings and as embellishments to buildings in Sumaria where sectiles were pushed into clay walls to strengthen and adorn them.

Stones and pebbles were closely fitted together to form patterns often copied from rugs made in the far-east and later found its way into pictoral effect on panels dating as far back as 2600 BC.

In the main, however, mosaic as an art form covered two principal periods in history: First, the Graeco-Roman period, from Alexander the Great to the fall of Rome during which examples like ?The Battle of Isus? (2nd century BC) depicting the famous battle of Alexander against Darius were created. Or, later, the classic ?black and white? mosaics such as Pompeii?s Cave Canem and the polychromatics made under Hadrian?s reign.

Second, the Paleo-Christian and Byzantine period extending from the fall of the Roman Empire around 4th century AD to the gradual decline of mosaic in the 12th and 13th centuries, during which time polychromatic mosaics and wall and vault glass and gold mosaics reached a ?par excellence? pinnacle.

One thing is certain, however, mosaics reached their height of widespread appreciation during the Roman period when there was not a house in Rome whose inner hall was not covered by mosaic where when the rain fell it both cleaned and enlivened the natural stone colors.

The magic of mosaic art begins when the intrinsic natural beauty of the mosaic material is first observed and secondarily from afar when the image begins to emerge from within the abstract of discretely arranged and close fitting mosaic stone and glass tesserae. The result is spectacular and eternally enduring.

Mosaics have visual appeal on many levels. Their detailed composition fascinates the eye in close-up, however when viewed overall, they present an almost three-dimensional picture.

Some are built up from tiny pieces of stone and marble, using only naturally occurring colors. This has few limitations, for they vary from deepest lapis blue/green to terracottas, purple, crystal white and a spectrum of neutrals. In order to achieve the greatest possible definition, each piece is hand cut on all four sides, rather than sawn.

Mosaics are one of the most versatile of media, suitable for both halls and floors - where borders can be used to striking effect in outlining or creating architectural definitions. Four classical border patterns are available, each based on an original Romano-British reference.

Special mosaic designs are available to order. The design process begins with a preliminary briefing from the client establishing the context for the work, possible design references and the budget. Full colour drawings are then produced for the client's approval prior to commencement of the project.

Realization pictures of materials
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Mosaic Gallery - Masterpieces