Since ancient times, people have used stone mosaics to decorate their homes. There are still remains of beautiful palaces, fountains, amphitheaters or other structures in which the floors and walls were painted with magnificent designs. They are created from pieces of multi-colored granite, tuff, jasper, onyx, and lapis lazuli. Marble, which comes in a wide variety of colors, was considered the most popular material. Today, stone mosaic is not losing ground. The emergence of new materials makes the process of creating fancy patterns less labor-intensive and faster. At the same time, such a mosaic remains resistant to moisture, household chemicals, and can withstand temperature changes. Artistic panels made of porcelain stoneware or glass can perfectly decorate a modern sauna, kitchen or bathroom.
Natural stone mosaic
The most common natural materials for mosaics are malachite, travertine, slate, granite, jasper, pebbles, marble. Their texture may be different. They use polished stone, matte, even with an untreated surface. Many craftsmen mix stone chips with ceramics, colored glass or other materials.
Main types of stone mosaic:
- Florentine. It is the most difficult, because to produce their paintings the masters used colored plates of natural stone cut into small chips. But the most famous mosaic works were made using this method.
- Roman. The material used here is light pebbles. Usually, fancy patterns of sea pebbles were laid out from it on a dark background. You can also find ancient pebble paintings made by ancient masters in Mediterranean countries (Spain, Türkiye and others).
- Russian. Our craftsmen also did not stand aside. Using the Florentine mosaic technique, they brought their own flavor to this art. The main difference between Russian mosaics and European ones is the desire not to disrupt the unity of the texture of the raw material. The finished product looks as if it was made from a whole stone. Mostly malachite and lapis lazuli were used, which were mined in large quantities in the Urals.
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Artificial stone mosaic
This material allows you to copy almost any natural surface. You can create large and tiny fragments from it, from large slabs to miniature chips. The reasonable price and beautiful appearance of porcelain stoneware allows it to be used when creating mosaic canvases, realizing the most fantastic ideas of the artist. Modern materials allow you to make stone mosaics in any style. Floor panels made of porcelain stoneware look great, in the production of which all the latest achievements of scientific thought are used. The ceramic mass is so compacted that the slightest pores are practically eliminated, and the liquid is completely removed from the material. After firing, manufacturers receive a glass-like monolith, which is not inferior in its properties to natural material. It can be safely used indoors and outdoors in any room
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Mosaic “sea pebbles”
Roman mosaics have not disappeared today. After the appearance of new materials, it received a new lease of life. To create such a decorative surface, porcelain stoneware, glazed ceramics, glass or stone are used. Very often, in the bustle of the city, we remember with longing the seashore and the rustle of pebbles under our bare feet. If you have the opportunity to get the required number of such pebbles and a little patience, then you can try laying out a beautiful multi-colored path at your dacha or creating an original picture from natural material. Although nowadays there is another, easier way to get a piece of the sea coast. Special equipment allows manufacturers of building materials to produce artificial sea pebbles. They are made in a variety of sizes, perfectly imitating natural pebbles.
For greater persuasiveness, artificial pebbles are covered with a wonderful multi-colored glaze. Working with such material does not take much time. The fragments are prepared in advance and attached to the mesh. This is much easier than working with each fragment separately when laying. One can only sympathize with the ancient Greeks or Romans. Although even now there are amateurs who are not averse to showing their talent and skill to decorate their interior with natural materials. Craftsmen decorate various vases, furniture or other interior items with fancy stone mosaics.
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