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Choice of Mosaic Pieces
The mosaic pieces used in making mosaics are usually called by the collective Latin name of tesserae (pl) or tessera (sing). These mosaic blocks come in many forms and are made from various materials. Only the most commonly used are listed here.
GLASS MOSAICS
The most common (and probably cheapest) glass mosaic tiles are the vitreous tesserae, which are commonly used by tilers in showers or swimming pools. They come in a wide range of colours and are usually sold in sheets, with a light fabric mesh or paper backer which can easily be dissolved of in warm water. Each vitreous mosaic tile is commonly 20mm square.
CLEAR GLASS TESSERAE
These can be expensive and are used for special effects, where the intention is to create exciting light effects, similar to stained glass.
SMALTI
These are made from imported Italian handmade opaque glass, which is still made by traditional methods and each mosaic tessera is cut to size by hand They are made from specially formulated glass, stained with minerals and consequently are very expensive, especially those that incorporate gold and silver leaf. Many expert mosaic artists would rate Smalti tesserae as unsurpassed for the richness of colours and the luminous quality of the reflected light they add to a mosaic.
MIRROR TILES
Nowadays, it is possible to purchase sheets of mirror tiles, for use in mosaic work, which saves you the labour of cutting up your own.
NATURAL MATERIALS
RAW STONE READY FOR CUTTING INTO TESSERAE
MARBLE OR STONE TESSERAE
Natural stone has been used since the earliest times for making tesserae blocks for use in mosaic art. The Romans achieved wonders with a small palette of naturally coloured mosaic stone tesserae. Often complete floors or flagstones feature hard wearing pebble mosaics, which can be of great interest and are especially suited for highly trafficked external areas.
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CERAMIC MOSAIC TILES
Like the vitreous mosaic tiles, these can be bought from craft shops or more cheaply from ordinary household tiling merchants and are sold loose or usually carded onto sheets for convenience. They are not expensive and are a good choice for a beginner, starting with mosaics, as they come in a huge variety of colours and textures. Alternatively it is always possible to cut your own tesserae from sample tiles, rejects or over runs.
OPUS PALLADIANUM USING SHATTERED CERAMIC TILES
For some techniques of mosaic work, ceramic tiles or china plates can simply be broken up and arranged randomly to create the effect called Opus Palladianum, which resembles crazy paving on a minature scale.