Mosaic Tile

	Mosaics is an ancient art, dating back at least 4,000 years to when artisans in the Old World inserted cones into a background and created patterns with their bases. Over time, they learned to put down crushed rock on the streets of their cities, and eventually, to set the rock into the ground, using various colors to create random decorations. It was this use of pebbles that would provide the Greeks with their inspiration for creating magnificent artworks in the last four centuries B.C. So popular was the art, that the Greeks began manufacturing “tesserae” (fitting together), pieces of minute dimensions, which greatly broadened their ability to produce lifelike images, and turned mosaics into a true art, instead of just interesting pavements. While marble and other stone was used in floor decorations, glass was only suited to wall or ceiling pictures, although pottery shards were sometimes used in both. Perhaps the most famous of mosaics are the Roman bathhouses, whose intricately laid floors gleamed up through the water that filled the room to bathing depth. Some of these, which were the work of Greek artists, can be seen in the remains uncovered from the volcanic ash of Pompeii. Please browse through our selection of products or to read more about Mosaic Tile please Click Here

Home > Shop by Material > Mosaic Tile

Mosaic Tile

Romans favored gods, fruits, wine, and scenery as their favorite themes. But when the Byzantine era rolled around in Turkey/Istanbul circa 400A.D. the subjects as well as the materials had evolved to suit more eclectic tastes. The tesserae were often made from bits of glass backed by silver or gold leaf, which gave pictures a distinctive glow, according to what angle they were viewed from. Mosaic pictures moved from being predominantly road and floor decorations, to Christian themes on the walls and ceilings of churches.

The popularity of mosaics waned, right around the time that actual tiles had come into fashion. The Middle Ages saw little of the art, although some churches continued to use the tiles to pattern their floors, but not in any particular theme or design.

In the 19th century, a resurgence of interest in the art brought mosaics back into the limelight as part of the intricate decorations in places like Westminster Cathedral, and Sacre Coeur in Paris. At the same time, a similar and homey art developed, where Victorians took a container, covered it with linseed putty, and pushed little “bits and bobs” of things into the putty, creating what is often called “memory ware”. These may have been covered in buttons, bits of glass, seeds, pebbles or coins.

While it has never regained its original place in the world of art or décor, mosaics are alive and well today. One of the most fascinating examples of the art and technique, are demonstrated by the Maison Picassiette in Chartres, France. Between 1938 and 1964, Raymond Isidore, a humble manual worker, took bits and bobs that he found, and covered the entire outside and inside of his house in some of the most beautiful and inventive mosaic artwork to be found in the modern world. The house, which is open to the public, is totally covered, including the furniture, right down to the kitchen stove, and the grounds outside.

If you like the history of mosaic tiles and the artwork created with them, why not use some modern mosaic pieces to highlight both your indoor and outdoor decorating schemes? A plain wall, inside or out, is brightened instantly with a mosaic tile wall planter, backed by delicate filigree metal mountings. Gardens are a pathway to delight, when you set down an exquisite mosaic style stepping stone. Complementary items for the lawn or garden, are a mosaic tile cherub bird bath and bird feeder, or a mosaic tile strawberry planter.

Mosaic tiles create a dash of color that brightens any location, and their multi-hued patterns will fit right into any décor.