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Mosaic. Composition, materials, production technology

Mosaic. Composition, materials, production technology

03.05.2019

INTRODUCTION

Among the whole variety of facing and decorative materials, there is hardly a more democratic and artistic one than a mosaic. Small graceful pieces can create both a durable surface that is resistant to temperature and moisture, and a very intricate pattern. Being a fertile ground for the flight of fancy, the mosaic makes few demands.

Mosaic is a pattern made up of small pieces or various materials. The origin of the word "mosaic" itself is shrouded in mystery. According to one version, it comes from the Latin musivum and is translated as "dedicated to the muses." According to another, it is just an opus musivum, that is, a kind of masonry wall or floor made of small stones. A brief wording conceals the widest range of colors, shapes and materials from which mosaics are now made. Manufacturers are counting on both the creative approach of customers who may want to repeat the ornaments of the ancient masters - the first specialists in mosaics, and lovers of conciseness, for whom the installation of the material is facilitated by the initial application of the mosaic on special sheets measuring 30x30 cm. No wonder, because the art of mosaic, coming out of the depths of centuries, is not only beautiful, but, as it turns out, quite practical. Mosaic is not only outwardly aesthetic, but also reliable. Since it can be used in fragile exclusive stained-glass windows, and for exterior work. Mosaic mosaic - discord and it can be different ...

HISTORY OF MOSAICS

Mosaic originated in the ancient East, magnificent Persian caskets have come down to us from the creations of the masters.

The most outstanding creations of the ancient era were the preserved mosaics depicting Pompeii, the Battle of Issus. The latter is generally laid out from one and a half thousand pieces, in a special way - “opus vermiculatum” (this is when pieces are assembled one to one along winding lines).

The heyday of mosaic art is the era of the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantine mosaic is refined, the masonry impresses with the subtlety of layers and the perfection of forms. Features are the background of the mosaic canvases, mostly gold, although many "canvases" are characterized by green and white tones. Sets of smalts and stones (often semi-precious) were not polished, which gave them a great depth of color. They achieved, and very successfully, the optical effect of expanding the room.

On the territory of Russia, mosaic art originated much later, in the 10th century, and was associated with the adoption of Christianity, but it did not immediately receive much development due to a lack of material. Later, the production of glass smalt was established in Kyiv, which caused the flourishing of mosaic art. The most famous and striking works of art are the mosaic panels in St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery.

In Russian history, there were still surges in the popularity of mosaics, already in modern times. It is associated with activity. The most widely known is his mosaic painting "The Battle of Poltava". In modern times, the mosaic technique is used quite often, attention to this type of art is high. Frescoes and mosaics adorn the stations of the Moscow Metro: Novokuznetskaya, Chekhovskaya, Nagatinskaya, Belorusskaya, here you can see both Roman and Florentine mosaics.

MATERIALS FOR PERFORMING MOSAIC

glass mosaic- the most affordable material for creating mosaic decor. This material is durable, resistant to moisture and household chemicals, temperature fluctuations. Due to these properties, glass mosaics are widely used both in interior decoration (bathrooms, swimming pools, fireplaces, etc.) and in exterior decoration (for example, facing decoration).

Glass mosaic comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures. On the modern market, this type of mosaic can be found both in the traditional form in the form of square plates, and, for example, in the form of transparent or matte drops.

Under smalt understand colored opaque glass, most often in the form of square plates.

As a rule, the underside of smalt tiles is rough, so that the adhesive and grout adhere better, the front side is smooth or textured, the corners are slightly beveled.

The main advantages of glass mosaic include its brightness, variety of colors and shades, a wide selection of textures and decorative inclusions. Even using a simple drawing, with a skillful selection of colors and their combinations, you can achieve a spectacular result.

A rock

Travertine, granite, onyx, marble... Natural stone with a strong wayward character turns in the hands of masters into obedient mosaic pieces, from which magnificent panels, floor decors, even entire carpets can be laid out. A variety of colors and shades will allow you to create both a simple pattern and a detailed portrait. In factories, under an individual order, they embody the most unusual fantasy.

So that this type of mosaic does not turn out to be whimsical in operation, the finished laid out surface must be covered with a special compound designed to protect the stone from external influences.

The color of natural material is unique, the play of structures is unusual, so each mosaic image is obviously unique. The stone can be left polished, or it can be "aged" - then the color will be more muted and the edges smoother. Chips are produced in a variety of shapes - from round to irregular. The maximum size is 50x50 mm, mainly such elements are used outdoors.

A separate theme of the "stone" mosaic can be considered a mosaic of porcelain stoneware - a high-strength wear-resistant material used in exteriors. Decorating pavilions, barbecues and more, more, more...

ceramic mosaic represents square ceramic tiles of rather small color variety.

This is an opaque material and, compared to smalt, is less wear-resistant. As a rule, ceramic tiles have a smooth glazed surface and a rough reverse side. A variety of glazed ceramics is a tile.

Tile- comes in a variety of colors, textures, can contain many patterns and have different sizes.

The advantage of working with tiles is that with its help you can create large solid details of the composition.

Tiles are readily available and relatively inexpensive, they can be purchased at any store or on the construction market. Interesting effects can be obtained using fragments of old tiles, which often remain on the farm.

Metal

The previous three positions - glass, stone and ceramic tiles - are traditional raw materials for the production of mosaics. But some manufacturers go further in their search - and find. So, the Italian factory SICIS produces mosaics from real metal, and not just imitates it. On a rubber base - and mind you, not necessarily a standard square, it may well be another figure - somehow a rhombus, a metal cap is “put on” during production. Simple, beautiful and reliable. True, lovers of metal mosaics should not abuse household chemicals so as not to spoil the well-groomed look of their interior.

Precious items

We have already mentioned the "gold" glass mosaic, each piece of which is embedded with real gold (99 fineness) foil. Another sophisticated mosaic is a mosaic with the addition of artificial aquamarine, the manufacturing process of which is very complex and painstaking. The addition of copper oxide allows you to achieve the uniqueness of the shades of each piece. The “flickering” effect of the mosaic surface is also pleasing to the eye. Experiments are ongoing, so these incarnations are not exhaustive. So, for example, an exclusive expensive mosaic is also made from natural mother-of-pearl.

The foundation

(fiberboard). Its advantages over plywood or cardboard include strength, smoothness and evenness of the surface. But fiberboard does not like humidity, so this material can only be used indoors with low humidity.

shipbuilding plywood

wood, glass, ceramics and other surfaces.

Primer

For primers with PVA glue.

cutting tiles

wire cutters glass cutter

Glue

PVA glue

epoxy adhesive

specially designed for this types of glue.

Grout

rubber spatula b and sponge to remove excess.

Clear the mosaic cotton fabric.

Additional funds

Helpful Hints:

FEATURES OF THE SET AND VARIETY OF MOSAICS

Background mosaic. It is created from ordinary tiles (usually 300x300 mm in size). It makes cuts of any size. At the same time, the structure of the tile is preserved and the effect of a wall or floor lined with chips appears.

Mixes. Multi-colored chips are glued to the surface quite arbitrarily, while there is a feeling of some predestination.

Mosaic panels(use the reverse dialing method). Fragments of marble, granite, conglomerate are applied to the basis of the finished drawing, all this is glued onto a self-adhesive film, then onto a grid (a separate tile is obtained). At the request of the customer, the front side is polished.

Modern mosaics are recruited in the same place where they are produced. For precise drawings, the chips are cleaved by hand. Finished products are delivered to stores and salons in the form of so-called matrices, which are pieces of paper or nets on which chips are glued in a strictly defined order.

At the place where the matrix is laid, it is only necessary to connect the fragments and attach them to the surface with a special glue. The paper is glued to the front side of the chips, and the mesh is glued to the back. After installation, the grid remains forever under the chips, and the paper is moistened and removed. A specialist needs to lay the mosaic from two days to two weeks (depending on the size and other features of the surface).

More and more factories specialize in the production of mosaics, increasing volumes and reducing the cost of products. And if you have not yet decided how to decorate this or that room of your house or office, then think about the fact that fashion has no power over the music enclosed in stone.

TOOLS AND AUXILIARY MATERIALS FOR MOSAIC WORKS

The foundation

As a basis, you can choose a fibreboard (fiberboard). Its advantages over plywood or cardboard include strength, smoothness and evenness of the surface. But fiberboard does not like humidity, so this material can only be used indoors with low humidity.

Best used in bathrooms shipbuilding plywood. It is a water repellent material and should be treated with suitable tile, adhesive and grout (water resistant) for best results. When using frost-resistant components, the resulting decorative element can also be placed outdoors.

As a basis for applying a mosaic, you can also choose wood, glass, ceramics and other surfaces.

Primer

For primers basics, you can use the usual with PVA glue. To apply the primer, you will need a wide flute brush. The width of the brush depends on the area of the surface to be primed and can reach up to 10-15 cm.

cutting tiles

Used to cut tiles wire cutters, they allow you to work with small pieces of the mosaic, creating various curves. glass cutter used to draw straight lines on the surface, along which the tile is then evenly broken using wire cutters. The glass cutter is usually used for large format tiles.

Glue

There are specialized adhesives for mosaics, or you can use ordinary PVA glue. PVA glue very easy to use: it dries quickly enough, while allowing you to work without too much haste. And after drying, the glue becomes invisible. The composition is very easy to wash off hands and tools.

Special adhesive compositions are designed for more complex work, for example, exterior. The most common composition is epoxy adhesive. After drying, the glue becomes like a hard resin. Most often, epoxy adhesive is a two-component. In order for the glue to start working, it must be mixed in equal proportions from two tubes. Epoxy glue dries faster than PVA, so the work needs to be broken down into more steps. It is much more difficult to wash hands and tools from this composition.

For gluing mosaics to various bases (glass, ceramics, metal), you can use specially designed for this types of glue. However, you should not use the so-called superglue, as it will not give you the opportunity to work slowly and accurately.

As an adhesive, you can also use special acrylic structural gels. Such gels literally envelop the mosaic tiles, thereby allowing you to do without grouting. Structural gels are available in white or colored, they also mix well with acrylic paints to obtain the desired colors and shades. Colorless gels are also available, allowing for interesting decorative effects, for example when working on a glass surface. To glue the mosaic you will need a thin flat brush.

Grout

To stir dry grout you will need plastic container, water, dye for grout (or acrylic paint). For work with grout are used rubber spatula b and sponge to remove excess.

Grouting is the final process in creating a mosaic, sometimes it is a key one, since the choice of a mosaic color can radically change the external impression of the composition:

Ø If the mosaic is decorative, in this case you can use ordinary ready-made grout, which can be purchased at a hardware store. Most often, finished grouts are white. You can tint the grout in any color using acrylic paints. However, in this case, pastel shades are most often obtained, and not pure colors of the palette.

Ø If the mosaic is used for exterior, floor decoration and will be subject to heavy wear, more durable waterproof types of grout should be selected. Usually these are dry powders that need to be brought to the desired consistency by diluting with water yourself. It must be borne in mind that such grouts are usually gray in color and are difficult to color. Colored cement grouts are also sold, but the choice of colors in this case is limited.

Clear the mosaic from grouting with a slightly damp sponge. Approximately half an hour after grouting and removing excess the surface of the mosaic is polished and the grout residues are cleaned with a dry cotton fabric.

Additional funds

Additional means include means of protection. It may be protective goggles, mask and rubber gloves.

Helpful Hints:

· When working with a mosaic, a lot of debris and dust usually appear. Cutting tiles and mixing grout is best done outside or in a well-ventilated area. It is impossible to wash off the remnants of the grout into the sink, because this will certainly lead to clogging.

· Before you start working with a mosaic, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the basics of color science. In this case, it is likely that you will not spend too much money on the purchase of those colors of the mosaic that you will not need in the intended work. However, as practice shows, once you start laying out a mosaic, then it is impossible to stop. So any currently unnecessary pieces of the puzzle will definitely come in handy in the future.

· When creating a decorative element for places protected from moisture and sudden changes in temperature, you can easily use ordinary PVA glue in your work. It costs less than other analogues suitable for the occasion and is quite universal. PVA glue is suitable as a primer and tile adhesive.

MOSAIC TECHNOLOGY

A method of making ornamental or plot images from homogeneous or different particles (stone, glass, ceramic tiles, wood). Mosaic is used for finishing and decorating the interiors of public buildings, monumental structures.

Facing the surface with mosaics is a laborious and multi-step process. Failure to comply with the rules for laying the mosaic entails damage and defects. There are several mosaic laying technologies, however, three stages are common to all: surface preparation, cladding itself and subsequent grouting.

Factory.

At the factory, all mosaic tiles are glued to a dense paper or mesh base - a matrix. With such sheets (usually 322x322 mm) the mosaic goes on sale. The matrix just needs to be applied to the surface smeared with glue, and then remove the paper base with a damp cloth.

Matrix.

To begin with, computer development is done in a given number of mosaic colors. Then, through a special program, the drawing is printed in the form of a numbered grid, where each color is assigned its own number. Each sheet is assigned a row and column number of the overall figure. As a rule, the matrix is \u200b\u200bmade for the size of a sheet of A4 paper. Printed sheets of paper are placed under the matrix, the pattern cells are necessarily translucent. Therefore, the matrix is made of a transparent material or such that the cells are translucent. Mosaic tiles are laid out on a matrix according to the colors assigned to them. After that, they are glued on the front side with adhesive tape and a tag is glued onto the resulting sheet, indicating the line number and column number of the general pattern. All sheets are accompanied by a printed image of the drawing in normal form, lined into rectangles that correspond to the size of A4 format. The figure grid also indicates the row number and column number. This is done so that tilers can always check the correct order of laying the mosaic pattern.

Artistic.

The sketch is made on a computer, a grid is drawn over the sketch, the sketch is printed in numbered sheets, each of which is a grid cell. Each of the fragments is placed by the master manually, then, according to the drawing, the mosaic puzzles are attached one by one to the base of the future picture. The mosaic panel is assembled in the artist's workshop and attached to a fiberglass mesh or adhesive paper. In this form, the mosaic panel is transferred to the customer, as well as a detailed description - a panel installation manual.
In the technique of laying out mosaic cubes, there are two ways: direct and reverse. The direct method is used primarily for making wall panels, the unevenness of the surface and the different inclination of the tesserae create a special flicker of light, one of the main features of the mosaic. With the direct method, the mosaicist in the process of his work places the cubes face up in the box. Thus, at any moment he sees what he is doing, and, stepping back a certain distance from the workplace, he can correctly judge the quality of the resulting image, its similarity with the original, and if necessary, he can easily make the necessary corrections. With the reverse set, which is technically much simpler, the cubes are placed face down in the box, and the artist in the process of work sees them only from the back side. In this case, his work turns into a purely mechanical process, almost beyond the creative control of the author. He can evaluate the result only after the end of the fragment, when it is already difficult to make corrections. However, for economic reasons, this method, being much less laborious, is sometimes expedient.

SELF-CHECK QUESTIONS:

Section I	The history of the mosaic
1.	Where did the mosaic originate?
2.	In which city was the glass mosaic produced?
3.	Who in Russia revived the mosaic?
Section II	Materials for mosaic work
4.	What are the disadvantages of unglazed ceramics?
5.	What are the natural stones that are used in the production of mosaics?
6.	Where are chips with a size of 50x50 mm used?
7.	Today it is the most common material for the production of mosaics.
8.	Name modern materials for making mosaics
Section IV
9.	What material can be chosen as the basis for applying the mosaic?
10.	In what rooms can fiberboard be used as a base for mosaics?
11.	What is the name of the universal primer for the surface under the mosaic?
12.	What tools are needed to cut tiles?
13.	What are the adhesives for mosaic work?
14.	To complete the process of creating mosaic compositions, the final touch is needed, which one?
Section V	Set features and varieties mosaics
15.	Name two types of mosaics.
16.	What makes a background mosaic different from other types?
17.	The main method in making mosaic panels?
18.	What types of mosaic do you know?
Section VI	Mosaic technology
19.	What temperature regime must be observed in the room when laying the mosaic?
20.	What should be the gap between the mosaic sheets?
21.	After what period of time is it possible to grout the seams after gluing the mosaic sheets?
22.	Do you clean the mosaic before the grout dries or after it dries?
23.	What solution should be used to remove grout residue from the mosaic surface?

Mosaic in translation ( fr. mosaique, it. mosaico, from lat. musivum, literally - dedicated to the muses). How much feeling, beauty and grace in this word. Mosaic is a pattern laid out on various surfaces (walls, floor, ceiling). The mosaic material is used as ceramics and glass, as well as wood, simple stones, smalt, etc.

The emergence of this type of art and the history of its development.

Mosaic originated in the ancient East, magnificent Persian caskets have come down to us from the creations of the masters.

Ancient era, under the influence of ancient oriental patterns, mosaics (originally made with colored pebbles on the floors). It reached its heyday during the Roman Empire, walls and floors of villas, palaces, baths (public baths) were laid out for it, compositions of colored stones and smalt were used from materials during this period.

The most outstanding creations of this era were the preserved mosaics depicting Pompeii, the Battle of Issus. The latter is generally laid out from one and a half thousand pieces, in a special way - “opus vermiculatum” (this is when the pieces are assembled one to one along winding lines).

At the early stage of the Middle Ages (VI-VIII centuries), the Italian city of Ravenna was famous for its mosaics; numerous palaces and temples were decorated with it. On the frescoes, and in general in the decoration, mosaics were used. The city of Monreale was famous for its mosaic patterns, there is a large cathedral. It shines in golden colors, they betray him a sense of wealth and grandeur. In addition to the cathedral, the Benedictine monastery deserves attention.

In the Middle Ages, mosaic was a very polar art form for decorating cathedrals, but fresco has supplanted it, although mosaic, unlike the latter, does not lose color, and the pattern does not fade and does not need to be updated.

An important contribution to the development of mosaics was made by Islamic culture. Mosques and minarets use mosaics in their interior decoration. The main types of mosaics were - parquetry and intarsia.

In Russian history, there were still surges in the popularity of mosaics, already in modern times. It is connected with the activities of M.V. Lomonosov. The most widely known is his mosaic painting "The Battle of Poltava".

In modern times, the mosaic technique is used quite often, attention to this type of art is high. Frescoes and mosaics adorn the stations of the Moscow Metro: Novokuznetskaya, Chekhovskaya, Nagatinskaya, Belorusskaya, here you can see both Roman and Florentine mosaics.

Mosaic types

According to the method of laying the mosaic canvas, the following types can be distinguished:

I'll tell you about each of them in detail.

When laying, mosaic pieces of regular geometric shapes, mostly rectangular, are used. It turns out a very simple drawing. The drawings that are obtained on a mosaic canvas represent a pattern or abstraction.
A drawing is applied in advance on paper or other material. Specially selected pieces are glued together with side surfaces. If the pieces have their own structure, then you need to take into account the background and the pattern at the same time, so that the ornamental set was graceful.

The most commonly used materials are smalt and wood, usually from very expensive species (mahogany, rosewood, purple wood, rosewood, palm, lemon tree). In such paintings, inserts of metals (copper, brass), ivory, tortoise shells are very often used.

intarsia

With intarsia, the mosaic picture takes on the appearance of a figured image, patterns from various materials and shapes are stacked. A feature of the installation is that the individual plates are adjusted to each other along the edges, glued and put into the floor or wall, where the contour is first cut out with cutting tools. The front sides of the plate are ground and polished, all depending on the desired effect.

The heyday of intarsia was during the Renaissance in Italy. Mosaic panels decorated furniture, walls, and utensils. Of the materials used ivory, wood, stones, mother-of-pearl, but the main thing is wood. Ornaments in form resembled exotic plants or geometric ornaments. The background was usually chosen dark, and the pattern light.

Inlay

Inlay is a method of laying mosaics by cutting into the surface of various plates. The main feature is that the plates cut flush with the surface.

There is also an imitation of inlay. It is carried out by filling small recesses with colored plates, to imitate ivory, malachite. The method in modern times is used very rarely, because of its great complexity and laboriousness.

block mosaic

A block mosaic is a type of mosaic when a pattern or ornament is made up of pieces (blocks). To imagine, you can simply increase the blocks of the mosaic to the size of the tiles. The wall tile pattern is a block pattern. So is the mosaic, only the blocks are small.

This type of mosaic originated in the Ancient East, it was developed in Italy, where it was called Chertozian.

Let's talk a little about the materials that are used in the production of mosaics. Traditional materials include: smalt (opaque glass or glass with metal oxides), ceramics, glass, wood, marble. Exotic materials include semi-precious stones, ivory (widely used in Greece and Rome), expensive woods (black, red, etc.).

New and non-traditional materials include egg shells, used in cases to give cracks to a stone wall or create a flowering effect. For a greater effect of volume and visibility, dyes are usually added.

The materials for making mosaics are very diverse; mosaics are made of glass, smalt, stone, porcelain stoneware, ceramic tiles and even metal.

glass mosaic

One of the oldest finishing materials is glass mosaic. In ancient times, only the wealthiest representatives of society could afford this material; they decorated their palaces, temples, and fountains with picturesque panels from pieces of colored glass.

Glass mosaic is an alloy of siliceous sand and other components with the addition of coloring oxides. As a result of the remelting of quartz sand, feldspar, soda with metal oxides at a temperature of 1400°C - 1600°C, a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is molded by injection molding at a temperature of 1000°C. The manufacturing technology of glass mosaic is such that it becomes much stronger than glass, although the chemical composition is exactly the same. This happens for two reasons: the first is that after pouring the glass mass into molds, it is subjected to high-temperature firing up to 800ºС, the second reason is the minimum module size is 2 * 2 cm. To avoid cracks caused by thermal stresses, the molded mosaic is annealed in the so-called tunnel kilns, where it is cooled to room temperature, moving at a constant speed along the conveyor. Glass mosaics have a wide range of applications: they are walls and floors in any enclosed space: from kitchens to swimming pools and bathrooms, as well as furniture surfaces, fireplaces, building facades. The richness of the color palette provides ample opportunities for creating decorative panels, patterns and ornaments.

Now, due to cheaper production, glass is the most affordable facing material of all types of mosaics. It is glass that has the largest number of advantages over other materials:

high strength;
chemical resistance - resistant to chemicals and many inorganic and organic acids found in most detergents;
zero water absorption, so this mosaic can be used in rooms with any humidity and pool bowls;
water resistance;
resistance to temperature extremes (from +15ºС to +145 ºС), which allows the use of mosaics for facing the fireplace from the outside (but not from the inside, where the temperature can be much higher);
excellent heat resistance;
frost resistance (the ability to withstand at least 100 cycles of transition from sub-zero temperatures (-30 ºС) to positive temperatures without loss of quality), therefore, the mosaic is suitable for facing outdoor freezing pools in which water is left for the winter, and external walls;
resistance to ultraviolet radiation - the colors of the product do not fade under prolonged exposure to light with an ultraviolet component.

Due to the fact that the mosaic, as a rule, is used in wet rooms, the coefficient of friction, which is characterized by slip resistance, plays an important role among its characteristics. This means that a person will be able to hold on even on a wet inclined plane lined with mosaics. In addition, tile joints create additional friction. The length of the foot of an adult (about 25 cm) has a minimum of 10 stitches in the case of using a two-centimeter mosaic. Thus, if it is necessary to lay out the shower tray with ordinary glass mosaic, it will turn out to be non-slip. The main advantages of glass mosaics include a wide selection of colors and an unlimited number of combinations. Glass mosaic can be divided into:

Homogeneous glass mosaic

Homogeneous glass mosaic refers to uniform colored glass without streaks.
Mosaic from such material can be glossy - shiny and perfectly reflecting light, with a natural luster and matte, similar to bottle glass, refined by the sea.

Mosaic from smalt

Smalt is a colored artificial glass made using special smelting technologies with the addition of metal oxides. Smalt is formed as a result of pressing small particles of densely colored glass with the addition of oxides and sintering at a temperature of 700-800°C during the day. The ratio of quartz and dyes - not less than 30-70%. Smalt mosaic differs from ordinary glass mosaic in its special strength. The composition of smalt includes potassium salts and other natural compounds that give the material color. The smalted mosaic is distinguished by the effect of internal glow and heterogeneity, the so-called man-made, it is difficult to find two identical fragments on one sheet. Each smalt cube is slightly different from the other in shade - because of this, a large surface lined with smalt of the same color does not look dull. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain up to 10 thousand shades of smalt. Smalt mosaic is easy to recognize by its rich color, even the lightest tones do not have white inclusions. The production of smalted mosaic is quite laborious (long production cycle), and therefore it costs an order of magnitude more expensive than glass. In addition to appearance, smalt differs from glass in terms of technical characteristics. It has inherent abrasion resistance, making it suitable for installation in high stress areas. It is excellent for flooring in areas with heavy traffic: stairs and landings, halls and corridors. Smalt is waterproof, frost and heat resistant, resistant to many aggressive environments and scratches. Therefore, smalt is equally good for walls and floors, for bathrooms, pools and living rooms.
Smalt is an attribute of expensive interiors, royal palaces and famous cathedrals. Mosaic panels, reproductions of paintings and even “carpets” are made from it. Such works are typed by hand, which explains the rather high price of smalt mosaics.

Mosaic with additives (aventurine, iridium)

Aventurine is a semi-precious stone with shimmering dotted inclusions, which got its modern name from the Italian word aventurine - a lucky break. Aventurine is added to a homogeneous glass mass, which is then molded. The resulting mosaic differs from the matte color depth and colorful streaks with a mysterious shimmer. In fact, ornamental aventurine is a mineral, fine-grained quartz SiO2, which differs due to the presence of copper in a reddish, even red-brown color with a shimmering sheen. The process of producing a mosaic with aventurine is very complicated and even with the strictest observance of all conditions sometimes does not bring the desired result, it is in the manufacture of this mosaic that the percentage of rejection is very high - 30%, this explains its rather high price. The ingredients for creating aventurine are placed in large tanks, which are kept in furnaces for five days until the raw materials are completely melted. At the right time, copper oxide is added to the mass and fired for another 12 hours, then the furnaces are turned off, and the raw material remains there for 10 days until it cools completely and hardens. If everything went well, ready-made aventurine in the form of a hardened resin is ground into powder, manually mixed into the glass mass and melted. The finished composition is poured into molds.

Iridium is a silvery-white metal, is extremely rare in nature and belongs to the noble metals in the same way as gold and platinum. Iridium, which in Greek means "rainbow", got its name due to the various colors of its salts. This color can still be compared with the “mother-of-pearl effect”, the difference lies in the fact that mother-of-pearl gives a glow of a certain range, for example, blue-green or rose-gold, and iridium plays with all the colors of the rainbow at the same time and at different angles it seems different shades. Mosaic with iridium has a standard glass mosaic thickness of 4 mm, so it can be easily combined with ordinary glass mosaic, but it is not recommended to use two or more colors in the same color scheme for cladding one room.

Some manufacturers produce collections with a "mother-of-pearl effect" - color overflows on a smooth surface. Mother-of-pearl is also added to a homogeneous glass mass. In the production of such an iridescent mosaic, cadmium and selenium are used, which are also valuable minerals and have good performance characteristics. For example, cadmium is resistant to alkali, so the mosaic can be washed with detergents without compromising its gloss. In the manufacture of mosaics, glass, cadmium and selenium are melted at high temperatures, resulting in the most durable mosaic with unusual decorative properties. But it is worth noting that it is not recommended to use such a mosaic for finishing outdoor stairs or commercial premises with high traffic.

Separately, it is worth saying a few words about the mirror mosaic. In terms of its qualities, it is very close to glass, but is most often used to decorate walls. On the floor, mostly small areas are faced with mirror mosaic, it is used as a decorative element.

ceramic mosaic

Ceramic mosaic is made from pieces of ceramic tiles of different shades of a huge range of colors, which allows you to create almost any pattern. Ceramic material for mosaic tiles is obtained from a mixture containing kaolin or clay. Also, various additives in the form of chamotte, quartz flour and flux are added to this mixture, which accelerate the sintering of water-insoluble materials. Thus, ceramic mosaic is an environmentally friendly and safe material. The surface of the mosaic is coated with glaze, which can result in both a smooth (polished) surface and a matte (rough) surface, which may contain all kinds of “special effects” - craquelures (small cracks on the surface), stains, blotches of a different color, imitation of an uneven surface. The surface laid out with such mosaics will be more embossed than those finished with glass mosaics. Mosaic can have many shapes: square, rectangle, circle, pebble. Such a variety of forms allows designers to embody any, even the most unusual and bold idea in the interior.

Ceramic mosaic is stronger than glass, which is combined with resistance to abrasive wear and an original appearance. Ceramic mosaics are suitable for cladding a wide variety of surfaces, including swimming pools, building facades, walls and floors in bathrooms and kitchens.

Ceramic mosaic has a number of advantages:

This is a high strength material. A correctly laid mosaic panel has a tensile strength at a concentrated load, exceeding the capabilities of reinforced concrete or cement by 20 times.
High fire resistance and fire resistance. Ceramic mosaic does not burn and protects the lined surface from fire. In addition, when heated, it does not emit harmful substances. All this makes it a suitable material for lining stoves and fireplaces.
Water resistance. This property of ceramic mosaic allows it to be used in rooms with high humidity or with constant contact with water.
Wear resistance. Therefore, ceramic mosaic is used for facing floors and stairs.
Ceramic mosaic does not fade in the sun.
Resistant to aggressive environments, chemicals.
It is known that microbes cannot exist on a ceramic mosaic for a long time.

Ceramic mosaic goes well with many other decoration materials. Looks especially great with porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles. A ceramic mosaic panel will give a magnificent look to any room.

stone mosaic

Stone mosaics are made from a wide variety of stone types, ranging from onyx, jasper, tuff, amethyst, lapis lazuli to slate, travertine, serpentine, malachite, etc. The color of natural material is unique, the play of structures is unusual, therefore each mosaic image of a stone mosaic is unique. The stone can be left polished, polished, or “aged” - then the color will be more muted and the edges smoother. Elements of very different shapes are produced - from round to irregular. This is an almost ideal material for finishing the facades of houses, interiors of offices, shops, bars, restaurants. The natural origin of the stone, durability, beauty, variety of forms, also allow it to be extremely widely used in landscape design (paths, platforms, retaining walls, curbs, garden benches are made). Often used sea, river, lake pebbles, as well as various boulders. Natural stone is always exclusive, as it has the energy of nature. Natural stone is used in the decoration of walls and floors, the manufacture of fireplaces, columns, countertops, mirror frames, vases, candlesticks, ornaments and sculptures, window sills, cornices, skirting boards, railings, coffee tables, bar counters. An excellent addition to the interior can be a picturesque mosaic made of natural stone, embodying story paintings, landscapes or still lifes.

marble mosaic

Marble (lat. marmor, from the Greek. marmaros - a shiny stone, stone block) - a crystalline rock formed as a result of recrystallization of limestone or dolomite. Marble almost always contains impurities of other minerals, as well as organic compounds. Impurities affect the quality of marble in different ways, reducing or increasing its decorative effect. The color of marble also depends on impurities. Most colored marbles are variegated. The pattern is determined not only by the structure of the marble, but also by the direction in which the stone is sawn. The color and pattern of marble appear after it is polished. Marble mosaic can be used both for interior decoration of premises - floors, walls - creating a unique comfort with smooth play of warm tones of polished stone and better than any other interior details, emphasizing the refined taste of the owner, and for finishing external walls, creating unique facade structures and brightly highlighting the house or an office from a series of gray everyday life. The use of marble mosaic always gives the interior a touch of stability, constancy, solidity. A wide range of color shades of marble allows you to create a variety of compositions based on the selection of materials similar in color and tone.

Mosaic made of artificial stone

Artificial stone is a unique material based on acrylic resins, made from environmentally friendly materials. Its coloring imitates the original structure of natural minerals. Artificial stone is a reliable material that is protected from temperature extremes, moisture and ultraviolet radiation. Mosaic made of acrylic stone is a rhythmic pattern, which at the same time resembles the surface of a stone box, and a colored stained-glass window, and a complex woven pattern, as if woven from many patches. During production, particles of natural minerals are added to the artificial stone, due to which such materials have a truly unique structure, which is original for each element of the mosaic. Products made of such acrylic stone, in the depths of which solar modulations play, retain an excellent appearance for many years.

metal mosaic

It can be steel or golden in color, depending on the metal used in the production. The manufacturing technology of such a mosaic varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Most often, not clay tiles are used as a substrate, but rubber plates up to 4 mm thick. A metal steel layer is attached to them from above. Due to the elastic rubber backing, metal mosaic elements are more flexible than those made of ceramic or glass, which significantly expands the range of applications for such a mosaic for facing surfaces of complex shapes. In addition to standard, square, elements of a different shape with different textured surfaces are offered. Oval, hexagonal, rectangular, diamond-shaped and square elements allow you to lay out an intricate carpet on the wall or on the floor. The surface is made polished, matte, with notches of various types and, finally, covered with a thin layer of brass or bronze. For decorating bathrooms, showers and pools, a special series of metal mosaics is produced, which uses stainless steel. To give the surface of the elements of a metal mosaic of various shades, bronze or brass is applied to it, however, such a mosaic is not recommended to be placed on the floor, as it is highly susceptible to abrasion.

Mosaic of precious metals

Golden mosaic is an indisputable sign of luxury. It consists of 585 gold foil enclosed between thin plates of special glass. There are collections with yellow, white gold or platinum. Production is completely manual. The golden mosaic is made in a handicraft way using the most ancient technology. Production begins with the traditional blowing of very thin transparent glass vessels (0.2-1 mm thick). The large "bubble" thus obtained is called soffione. This glass is cut into squares about 10*10 cm in size. Such golden mosaic plates are called "cartelline". A metal sheet of yellow or white gold is placed on a thin plate of the cartelline gold mosaic. A sheet is a thin foil obtained by beating metal by hand. A hot mass of thicker glass is poured onto a thin plate with foil. Thus, both glass layers are tightly connected and form a golden "pancake". After that, the golden "pancakes" are sent to the kiln for hardening. A thin piece of glass can be colored, a thick plate of gold mosaic can be green, blue or transparent (crystal base). The surface of the gold mosaic can be smooth or corrugated. Cutting into cubes of gold mosaic is carried out manually. Obviously, the price of such material is considerable. Therefore, most often the golden mosaic is used individually, making inserts. Gold mosaic can be used for both walls and floors.

What types of mosaic exist?

- Glass;
- smalt;
- ceramic;
- stone;
- other, less commonly used materials.

1. glass mosaic- one of the oldest finishing materials and an ancient type of fine art. From the Italian word mosaic is translated as made of pieces. Today, Venetian glass is most often used as a material, which has excellent qualities - durability, water resistance, heat resistance, frost resistance, impact strength, durability. The structure is intact, which means that contamination is minimized.

Mosaic is used for finishing the walls and floors of swimming pools, bathrooms, as well as the surface of furniture, fireplaces, building facades.

2. Smalt mosaic - this is the same glass mosaic, but with the addition of potassium salts. Smalta is one of the relatives of Murano glass: just as bright, but many times stronger and completely opaque. For the production of smalt mosaic, glass is ground into powder and "baked" for the second time with special dyes. Each piece of smalt has its own color and tone, as well as a gloss or matte surface. The artist or designer puts these small plates into picturesque chords, which then create a drawing or ornament, a picture.

"Golden Mosaic" is made in an absolutely artisanal way according to the oldest technology. Production begins with the traditional blowing of vessels from very thin transparent glass (thickness 0.2 - 1 mm). The large “bubble” obtained in this way is called soffione. This glass is cut into squares approximately 10 x 10 cm in size. Such plates of gold mosaic are called “cartelline”.

A metal sheet, made of yellow or white gold, is placed on a thin plate of the golden mosaic "cartellina". The sheet is a thin foil obtained by beating the metal by hand. For example, from 20 gr. gold turns out 6 square meters of foil.

A hot mass of thicker glass is poured onto a thin plate with foil. In this way, both glass layers are tightly connected and form a golden “pancake”. After that, the golden "pancakes" are sent to the kiln for hardening. A thin piece of glass can be colored, a thick plate of gold mosaic can be green and blue, or transparent (crystal base).

The surface of the golden mosaic can be smooth or corrugated. Pancake is cut with a special tool for glass cutting from very hard hardened steel. Cutting into tesserae of gold mosaic, writes Infobud, is carried out manually.

3 . Ceramic mosaic - outwardly similar to ceramic tiles, but with much smaller dimensions, while the surface can be glazed, embossed, with additional inclusions. It is stronger than glass mosaic and is suitable for facing a wide variety of surfaces.

4. Stone mosaic- in the manufacture of such a mosaic, the most different types of stone are used, starting with cheap tufa and ending with the rarest types of marble, onyx and jasper. The shape of the particles - to taste.

Мрaмoрнaя мозаика.Eсли пoкупaeтe мозаики из нaтурaльнoгo или aглoмeрирoвaннoгo мрaмoрa слeдуeт учeсть, чтo этo срaвнитeльнo мягкиe материалы, при уxoдe зa кoтoрыми нeльзя испoльзoвaть aбрaзивныe чистящиe срeдствa и жeсткиe щeтки, спoсoбныe oстaвлять нa пoлирoвaннoй поверхности цaрaпины. It is necessary to avoid contact with acid-containing liquids - fruit juices, wine, vinegar, etc. - on their surfaces. Most products made from these materials are recommended after laying in places with intensive use. The exception is agglomerates based on quartz.

5. Non-traditional materials. Here and precious materials, and all respected porcelain stoneware. Porcelain tile is stronger than just ceramics, and much cheaper. It is important to observe the correct technology in the manufacture, otherwise porcelain stoneware begins to delaminate and lose color. Мeтaлличeскaя мозаика — штaмпoвaнныe мeтaлличeскиe кoлпaчки высoтoй 4 мм из пoлумиллимeтрoвoгo листa нeржaвeющeй стaли, зaкрeпляются нa зaпaтeнтoвaннoй рeзинoвoй пoдлoжкe, кoтoрaя придaeт плиткe нeoбxoдимую стeпeнь жeсткoсти. The surface of the steel is made polished, matte, with notches of various types and, finally, covered with a thin layer of brass or bronze. This material is quite expensive, but it makes an excellent decor.

Of course, the most expensive material used in mosaics is gold and platinum. There are series in which the mosaic is made by hand from beginning to end, laying real gold foil of the 99th test between two layers of glass. Most often, a golden mosaic is used piece by piece, making inserts. Similar products are offered for both walls and floors, blotches look especially beautiful at the bottom of the pool.

Mosaic - art or craft? This question can be answered in two ways. On the one hand, this is an art form similar to painting, where the author's intention is embodied in a picture, but only by combining small fragments into a common whole. On the other hand, it is a craft aimed at decorating buildings and interiors, which is based on the special knowledge and skills of the master, aimed at making the interior unique.

What it is?

Mosaic is the art of creating patterns and ornaments from small multi-colored pieces, called chips (sometimes chips), from some solid material by arranging on a plane. From the Italian language, the word "mosaic" is translated as "composed of pieces." The most common materials for creating mosaic paintings are natural stone, smalt (multi-colored glass fragments), ceramics, wood, and metal.

Modern mosaic, which has undergone an impressive transformation over many millennia of development, has become mainly a craft that uses multi-colored mosaic tiles with ready-made drawings and patterns as finishing materials. From such small tiles, either the patterns and drawings planned by the manufacturer are formed, or mosaic compositions are formed using multi-colored tiles in accordance with the fantasies of the master or the wishes of the customer.

Mosaic began to be called a finishing material, which is a collection of small rectangular tiles of various colors, from which a floor or wall pattern or pattern is made. For interior decoration, ceramic tiles covered with multi-colored glaze began to be widely used.

But the mosaic as part of the applied decorative art is in honor of many even now. Individual creations of mosaic technique masters are valued many times more than the use of ready-made templates. Unique ornaments and paintings are used by artists both in urban planning practice and by private customers who have sufficient funds and a sense of taste.

Such creations are created mainly from smalt (multi-colored glass pieces), stones, both artificial and natural. Moreover, the materials used in the compositions are combined with each other, creating the effect of a play of light and shadow. It is not uncommon for individual orders for exclusive mosaics for interior decor using non-traditional materials, as well as precious stones and metals.

Modern designers practice decorating rooms by creating floor and wall mosaics made of natural stone and mosaic tiles from expensive wood species, covered with a fire-resistant and moisture-proof transparent shell. At the same time, the natural structure of stone and wood is emphasized, sometimes separated by inserts of metal and bone. The design of any room, made in this way, looks discreet, but luxurious.

The technique of laying out mosaics is actively used in the decoration of modern buildings, both outside and inside. Floor and wall mosaic tiles, covered with bright glaze, add a unique flavor and sophistication to any interior.

Origin story

Mosaic originated at the dawn of human civilization as the art of creating drawings made up of small multi-colored fragments of various materials: stone, glass, wood, shells and other materials.

History recorded the facts of the beginnings of mosaic creativity as early as four thousand years BC. e. in Mesopotamia. In ancient times, the Sumerians created mosaics from fired pieces of painted clay. Mosaic is also present in the tombs of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, where multi-colored pieces of glass were actively used.

6th to 2nd century BC e. It is noted by historians as the period of pebble mosaics, when mosaic drawings were simple figures made of black, white and reddish sea pebbles. Evidence of such creativity was found during excavations in the regions of Central Asia.

By the 4th century BC. e. pebble mosaics became more complex, taking on the appearance of more complex patterns and designs, where lead plates began to be used to separate fragments, and the number of elements began to number in the thousands.

In the III century BC. e. mosaics began to use square and rectangular tiles made of stone, glass and ceramics. This made it possible to significantly diversify the compositions, giving them clear outlines and variegation. Mosaic creations have become more like paintings, with greater realism. The oldest tiled mosaic was found during excavations in Sicily near the village of Morgantina.

But as a full-fledged type of applied decorative art, mosaic was formed in ancient times, from where the name of this type of art came from. According to ancient Greek mythology, the muses were nine patrons of the arts, who were the daughters of Zeus.

According to the paintings created from glass and stone and reflecting scenes from the life of different times and cultures, as well as ornaments and patterns, one can trace the features of the development of human civilization, the religious preferences of cultures and peoples.

One can trace how the skills of the luminaries of mosaic creativity were honed: from creating simple stone patterns to voluminous colorful panels that combine painting techniques and materials.

In ancient times, and then in the Roman and Byzantine empires, the use of mosaics became an integral part of urban planning practice. Mosaic tiles began to be used both for decorating the walls of houses and for decorating the pavement. Mosaic began to lay out dwellings from the inside, covering walls, pools and fountains with it. It has become a kind of measure of the wealth of the owner.

In ancient Rome, the monochrome - black and white mosaic style was born, which became predominant for several centuries.

In Russia, mosaic creations began to appear only towards the end of the 20th century after the adoption of Christianity, which was influenced by the Byzantine Empire. The well-established production of glass smalt in Kyiv at that time marked the beginning of the flourishing of the mosaic craft in Rus'. The pinnacle of mosaic art in Rus' can be considered a panel decorating St. Sophia Cathedral.

The Byzantine school, where the mosaics of Ravenna are most significant, was based on religious views. It used the popular colored enamels and gold tiles, giving the mosaic works bright and rich colors. At the same time, golden plates were placed at various angles, which created a magical play of light and shadow.

Eastern mosaic had its own characteristics. Based on the fact that the Islamic religion prohibits any image of body parts, including the face, the themes of oriental mosaics are mainly ornaments, geometric shapes, flowers and plants, as well as all kinds of patterns.

The most difficult to perform is the technique of the Florentine school, where natural stone textures were used. The careful selection of the natural stone pattern and its shades, carried out by the mosaic masters, and the skillful combination of this with the perfect combination into a single whole, gave the Florentine mosaic creations a peculiar charm, where the naturalness of the materials was harmoniously intertwined with the ideas of the master. Stones such as tiger's eye, malachite, agate and others were used in the mosaic. Mosaics made of precious and semi-precious stones and precious metals were often used for interior decoration, especially for decorating furniture and fireplaces.

By the 16th century, the Florentine school of mosaic paintings was formed, which still retains its individuality. Masters of this school are in demand at the present time.

By this time, there was a clear division between mosaic art and the work of artisans, who began to lay out tiles with ready-made patterns and paintings, decorating interiors. The keepers of mosaic creativity as an art created their own unique masterpieces, decorating temples and palaces with stained-glass windows and mosaics. Mosaic began to be used not only for interior decoration, but also for decorating furniture, jewelry boxes and even clothes. The themes for the mosaic were very diverse: floral patterns, animals and birds, biblical themes, scenes of holidays and scenes from urban life.

By the end of the Renaissance, the development of mosaic art subsides, passing the baton to panels and frescoes. But by the middle of the 19th century, the Italian master Antonio Salviati began to revive mosaic craftsmanship in the Venetian glass style. Interest in an almost forgotten craft flared up with renewed vigor thanks to the strength, practicality and durability of wall and floor coverings made from mosaic tiles.

During the reign of Catherine II, Lomonosov M.V. developed new technologies for smelting smalt and created an enterprise for its production. Many of his mosaic creations have survived to our time. His composition of smalt "Poltava battle" entered the world cultural fund. Then, after the death of Lomonosov, the mosaic craft had practically no use until the middle of the 19th century.

Interest in mosaic craftsmanship arose against the backdrop of an emerging style of historic architecture. At this time, mosaic workshops appeared in the Vatican and London.

Tsar Nicholas I organizes the creation of Russian mosaic workshops inspired by Byzantine mosaics in Kiev's St. Sophia Cathedral. To revive mosaics in Rus', the emperor sent artists to study at the Vatican school and began to attract foreign masters. Large mosaic workshops were organized in St. Petersburg, Paris, Vienna and Venice.

The Venetian mosaics of 1920, exhibited in Paris in 1925, were created in the new Art Deco style. Mosaic works in the Art Nouveau style began to appear. In Barcelona, Antonio Gaudí, together with Josep Maria Jujol, make mosaics from broken glass and ceramics in the Parc Güell.

Mosaic as an art, as well as a craft, does not stand still, constantly replenishing its arsenal with new technologies and materials. At the beginning of the 21st century, along with traditional types of mosaics, thanks to new technologies, mosaic tiles with a three-dimensional effect of 3D images began to appear. Folded compositions from such materials, using the effect of three-dimensional space, create realistic drawings, especially animals, birds and landscapes.

To promote mosaic artists, there are international mosaic organizations: the British Association of Modern Mosaics and the Society of American Mosaicists.

Varieties

The beauty of mosaic coatings is successfully combined with their reliability, due to the absolute moisture resistance and durability of the coating. Therefore, the mosaic is used as a facing material for facade decoration of buildings, as well as for finishing rooms with high humidity.

Facade cladding using mosaic coatings makes it possible to successfully camouflage imperfections and cracks.

For facade decoration, as well as for decorating walls inside the premises, the methods and features that guide the classical art school of mosaic are more often used. It is characterized by the execution of paintings and various patterns using traditional materials: smalt, wood, bone, metal, natural stones - onyx, travertine, marble.

For floor coverings, methods characteristic of modern Venetian terrazzo mosaics are more often used. It is a cement mixture with stone chips and broken bottle glass, where fragments of granite and marble are added. After hardening, a very strong waterproof surface with a mosaic pattern is obtained, which can be polished.

By style, the mosaic is divided into many ornaments and patterns. If drawing dominates in European culture, then patterns with bright saturated colors, flowers and geometric shapes prevail in oriental mosaics.

More and more people want to equip bathrooms, pools and kitchens with Turkish and Moroccan mosaics.

If Turkish mosaic tiles have a bright color scheme, where bright squares and triangles are decorated with rich colors, then Moroccan mosaics are distinguished by pastel colors and ornaments reminiscent of Persian carpets.

Along with time-tested types of mosaics, mosaic tiles appeared, the manufacture of which uses new digital technologies. They allow you to make mosaic tiles with a 3D effect, which recreates the effect of volume. This property can be interpreted both in the concavity of the space, which allows, as it were, to visually expand the room, and in the convexity, as if bringing parts of the mosaic drawing closer, enlivening it. 3D mosaic gives the greatest realism to compositions in comparison with traditional types of mosaic.

Mosaic is divided according to the type of materials used and the type of installation.

By type of materials used:

glass;
stone;
smalt;
ceramic;
other.

glass

Stone

Smalt

ceramic

According to the method of laying the mosaic canvas, the following types can be distinguished:

parquetry;
intarsia;
inlay;
block mosaic.

parquetry

intarsia

Inlay

block mosaic

parquetry

This method uses mosaic fragments, which are geometric shapes - mainly triangles, squares and rectangles. This mosaic style is used, as a rule, to create simple ornaments and paintings. Before installation, a sketch or stencil is applied to the surface, and then the fragments are glued along the contour by the side surfaces. After that, fragmentarily, taking into account color combinations, the body is filled inside the outline of the drawing, where the side surfaces of the fragments are coated on all sides with glue.

In this style of laying, smalt and hard valuable wood are more often used. In this case, inserts made of metals such as copper, brass and bronze are often practiced.