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Which materials have been used to make mosaic tesserae?
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mosaic
Mosaic floor fragment from a synagogue or church, cut stone with mortar from Israel, late 5th–6th century ce; in the Jewish Museum, New York City.
Mosaic tesserae have been crafted from a wide variety of materials throughout history, evolving from natural pebbles to diverse manufactured substances.12
Common Materials
- Stone: The earliest tesserae were cut from marble and limestone, which remained the standard for durable floor mosaics. Other semiprecious stones, such as turquoise and garnet, have also been utilized.13
- Glass: Colored glass (smalto) became prominent for wall and vault decorations due to its vibrant hues. Specialized varieties include pressed glass and pieces containing gold or silver leaf sandwiched between layers of glass.13
- Ceramic: Highly versatile, ceramic tesserae are cut from tiles or prefabricated. Terra-cotta has historically been used for contours and specific color depictions.31
Other Materials
Additional materials used to create tesserae include:
* Mother-of-pearl31
* Shell1
* Enamel1
* Painted stone and painted terra-cotta1
Would you like to know more about how these materials were selected for specific artistic functions?