1-inch (25 mm) glass tiles Closeup of glass tile sticks on a mesh tile square.

Glass tiles are pieces of glass formed into consistent shapes.

Link to Longart Mosaic

Early history

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Glass was used in mosaics as early as BC, but it was not until the 3rd century BC that innovative artisans in Greece, Persia, and India created glass tiles.

Whereas clay tile is dated as early as 8,000 BC, there were significant barriers to the development of glass tile, including the high temperatures required to melt glass and the complexities of annealing glass curves.

In recent years,[when?] glass tiles have become popular for both field tile and accent tiles. This trend can be attributed to recent technological breakthroughs,[example needed] as well as the tiles inherent properties; in particular, their potential to impart intense color, reflect light, and remain impervious to water.

Glass tile introduces complexities to the installer. Since glass is more rigid than ceramic or porcelain tile, glass tiles break more readily under the duress of substrate shifts.[1]

Smalti tiles

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Smalti tile, sometimes referred to as Byzantine glass mosaic tile, is a typically opaque glass tile originally developed for use in mosaics created during the time of the Byzantine empire.[2]

Smalti is made by mixing molten glass with metal oxides for color in a furnace; the result is a cloudy mixture poured into flat slabs that are cooled and broken into individual pieces. The molten mixture can be topped with gold leaf, followed by a thin glass film to protect against tarnishing. During the Byzantine era, Constantinople became the center of the mosaic craft, and the use of gold leaf glass mosaic reached perhaps its greatest artistic expression in the former seat of the Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia.

Traditional smalti tiles are still found today in many European churches and ornamental objects; the method is used by some present-day artisans, both in installations and fine art. In the s, mass production methods were applied to Smalti tile manufacturing, which enabled these tiles to find their way into many middle-class homes. Instead of the old method of rolling the colored glass mixture out, cooling, and cutting, the new method called for molten liquid to be poured and cooled in trays, usually resulting in 3/4 inch chicklet-type pieces.

Modern era

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Glass mosaics of sea turtles on a subway platform

Since the s, a variety of modern glass tile technologies, including methods to take used glass and recreate it as ' green' tiles, has resulted in a resurgence of interest in glass tile as a floor and wall cladding. It is now most commonly used in pools, kitchens, spas, and bathrooms. Although Smalti tile remains popular, small and large format glass products are now commonly formed using cast and fused glass methods. The plasticity of these last two methods has resulted in a wide variety of looks and applications, including floor tiles.[3]

In the late s, special glass tiles were coated on the back side with a receptive white coating. This has allowed impregnation of heat-transfer dyes by a printing process reproducing high resolution pictures and designs. Custom printed glass tile and glass tile murals exhibit the toughness of glass on the wearing surface with photo-like pictures. These are especially practical in kitchens and showers, where cleanser and moisture resistance are important.

See also

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References

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https://pixabay.com/photos/mosaic-glass-art-texture-colorful-/

The Art and History of Glass Mosaics

Dating back at least 4,000 years, mosaic art is thought to have originated in Mesopotamia. Artists use a variety of materials to make mosaic art, including glass, ceramic tiles, and stones. Mosaic designs can be simple or very intricate, and they might include geometric designs, animals, or people. The history of glass mosaics shows how ancient people's creativity developed this art form.

Mosaic Art Defined

Mosaic art is the creation of patterns or pictures using small pieces of materials such as clay, marble, glass, tiles, or stones. The pieces are often glued or cemented to a surface such as a wall or a floor. Mosaic art can be very complex, with lots of different colors and shapes that create intricate patterns and pictures, or it can be more simple in nature.

Early History of Mosaic Art

Mosaic art seems to have been a status symbol, since it took artists a long time to create a mosaic project. The oldest mosaic art has been traced back to a Mesopotamian temple that existed during the third millennium B.C. This art was made with stones, seashells, and ivory. Ancient Greek artists used small pebbles to make their mosaics. Greeks were also instrumental in developing mosaic art into complex patterns. Ancient Romans and Syrians also delved into mosaic art, using it to decorate vast floors. Roman mosaic art has been discovered that depicts Roman gods, intricate geometric designs, and domestic scenes. After the Roman Empire fell, artists started creating very detailed wall murals using mosaic art. It was also during this era that artists started using smalti tiles, which were made out of glass. These tiles were often backed with gold or silver leaf, which gave the tiles a beautiful depth and glow. Artists laid the smalti tiles at an angle so they would reflect light. Byzantine mosaics were not grouted, which also helped with light reflection. These mosaics are known for their sparkle effects. Islamic mosaics during this era were usually made of stone and used geometric designs. Islamic artists made their mosaics using a technique known as zillij, which involved creating tiles especially for an art project so that the tiles would fit together. The finished effect in this type of mosaic art was seamless.

Mosaic Art During the Middle Ages

Mosaics continued to be a central form of art during the Middle Ages. In Rome, mosaic art was used to decorate mausoleums, churches, and other important buildings. Many designs showcased Christian scenes such as Jesus and his apostles. Some designs used symbolism, such as fish or water birds to represent baptism. During the high Middle Ages, Roman mosaic art expanded beyond earlier traditions with more realistic designs of figures. Artists were able to create realistic people and even some perspective in their mosaic art.

Renaissance Mosaic Art

Mosaic art fell out of favor during the Renaissance, but some artists did work on creating mosaics using old techniques. St. Peter's Basilica was decorated with mosaics as a means of following older traditions. Mosaics in St. Peter's Basilica were created by multiple artists, and they were used to reflect light in the dim interior of the church. Mosaics were also preferred because they lasted longer than canvas art.

Modern Mosaics

Today, modern mosaic art may be found virtually anywhere. Mosaics are used to decorate subways, restrooms, restaurants, and parks. Artists use a variety of materials to create mosaic art, including glass, beads, shells, stones, pebbles, tiles, mirrors, and even parts of old jewelry, photographs, and toys. Modern mosaic art might cover floors, ceilings, walls, benches, tables, flowerpots, and more.

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