Mosaic typs
The colorful world of mosaic stones
The word mosaic is derived from the late Latin musaicum (opus - work dedicated to the muses). The term mosaic technique refers to the assembly of different colored flat tiles made of stone, metal or wood to form decorative patterns. Mosaic has recently regained importance in the field of arts and crafts. You can find out more about this here in the section on mosaic stones.
The Main Tower in Frankfurt am Main, for example, features an impressive wall mosaic called "Frankfurter Treppe" (Frankfurt Steps) by the Berlin artist Stephan Huber.
And here’s how you can create your own mosaic: on the wall of your house, on flower boxes or glass vases, on plates, on the floor … there are no limits to your imagination! Let yourself be enchanted by the ancient art of stone laying …
Mosaic stories
Incidentally, the oldest mosaics in the world from Sumerian times (approx. 2500 - 3000 BC) were found between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, in Mesopotamia, near the city of Ur. These were columns made of palm trunks, which were coated with asphalt (a mixture of bitumen and stone chippings) and decorated with mosaic stones. However, mosaic stones were also used at that time as a material for wall friezes in buildings and as decorations for jewelry boxes.
Roman mosaics
Mosaics were particularly widespread in the Roman Empire. Many floors, but also walls in residential buildings of the upper social classes, were decorated with mosaics. In the first century AD, black-and-white mosaics were particularly popular, with geometric motifs dominating. Figure-based depictions are rather rare and only became popular in the second century. Multicolored mosaics also began to appear in the second century. In the east of the empire, classic Greek stylistic elements and traditions prevailed. This is because mosaic art was practiced primarily in the Byzantine Empire.
Well-known mosaics from the late classical period can be found in the Italian city of Ravenna, among other places.
Mosaics from Cologne
Germany also has a number of older mosaics dating from the time of the Roman occupation. One of the best known is the Dionysus mosaic in Cologne, which was discovered in 1941 during excavation work and over which the Romano-Germanic Museum was built.
Mosaics: making your own
You can find beautiful mosaic tiles to create your own personal Roman mosaic on the “Mosaic“ pages of the Roman Shop. We also have suggestions and templates for artistic mosaics. And we are also happy to help you with questions about the choice of stone.
You can use pliers or heavy-duty scissors to cut the various mosaic stones as you wish. In the “Mosaic” section, you will find marble, ceraton and Byzantic mosaic stones in various sizes and colors.
Recommendation for your mosaic hobby
You can find even more information on mosaics on our professional pages.
www.Mosaik-Shop.com
The Mosaiksteine und Römer Shop team wishes you a colorful journey of discovery through the dazzling and inspiring world of mosaics!