What is a Roman floor mosaic?
A Roman mosaic is a mosaic made during the Roman period, throughout the Roman Republic and later Empire. Mosaics were used in a variety of private and public buildings, on both floors and walls, though they competed with cheaper frescos for the latter.
How did Romans make mosaic floors?
3. The Romans perfected mosaics as an art form. The Greeks refined the art of figural mosaics by embedding pebbles in mortar. The Romans took the art form to the next level by using tesserae (cubes of stone, ceramic, or glass) to form intricate, colorful designs.
What did Romans use for floors?
Tile Art in the Roman Empire Tiles were used for wall and floor coverings while also creating a beautiful display. A treasured example of a practical and artful tile installation is the Alexander Mosaic (circa 100 B.C.).
Why did Romans decorate their houses with mosaics?
They were used for decoration, and to show people how rich you were, were Roman mosaics were also very strong surfaces for walking on and were sometimes used as signs or for advertising. Roman mosaics were waterproof and easy to clean. This made mosaics very popular in public buildings and Roman bathhouses.
Are Roman mosaics grouted?
When the true mosaics were revealed they were carefully re-grouted with an inert, reversible substance that was as close to the original Roman materials as possible. Finally, the grout was inpainted to approximate the neutral tones for each color.
Did Romans use grout?
At the heart of a Roman mosaic are tesserae, small pieces of glass and stone, often in a cube shape. The tesserae were pressed into cement, which was also used as a sort of grout in the spaces between the stones.
What were floors made of in ancient Rome?
The craftsmen used mortar which is a form of cement to hold the thousands of tiny pieces of glass, stone, and ceramics which were called tesserae. Design of the mosaic floors were battle scenes, animals, Roman gods, mythological figures, and important Roman people.
What are some fun facts about Roman mosaics?
Roman Mosaics: Facts and Information
- Mosaics were also waterproof and easy to clean, making them popular in public buildings.
- People who designed and created Roman mosaics were thought of as craftsmen, rather than artists.
- Mosaics featured geometric designs, as well as other images.
When was the first Roman mosaic made?
2nd century bce
The Romans transformed mosaic from an exclusive art to a common decorative medium. Some of the earliest examples of this new type of floor are in the late republican (2nd century bce) houses at Delos.
What Colours did the Romans use for mosaics?
The common colours of stone used were: White, black, orange, yellow, cream, grey and blue. Red was made from earthenware tiles. Green was rarer and made from glass.