Colour and mosaics
In
Roman Britain fragments of imported red glaze pottery (Samian ware) were
only rarely used and glass tesserae (smalti) were almost unknown. On mosaic
depicting four seasons excavated at Dyer St in Cirencester in 1849, red
glass tesserae were used in the head dress of spring, and 8 rare, gilt
glass tesserae were found loose on the site of the Roman villa at Southwark
in Sussex - probably imported from continental workshops.
Desiqn
and Construction
Large slabs of stone were cut up in the workshop by saws with smooth iron blades, using sand and water. Sheets of stone were then taken to the site where the mosaic was to be made and they were then broken up into smaller pieces or tesserae. These were then laid according to the required pattern. The mosaic would take months of preparation in the workshop and weeks to produce on site. There were various methods used (see next page).
Large slabs of stone were cut up in the workshop by saws with smooth iron blades, using sand and water. Sheets of stone were then taken to the site where the mosaic was to be made and they were then broken up into smaller pieces or tesserae. These were then laid according to the required pattern. The mosaic would take months of preparation in the workshop and weeks to produce on site. There were various methods used (see next page).
Also See:
