Mosaics

Mosaic price list

The variation in tone and pattern enable Athena natural stone tiles to complement any interior design. Most common uses in modern homes are geometric patterns which evoke the traditional and classical designs of Persian and Ancient Greek architecture. Modern homes also follow in the footsteps of the Great Roman Empire and depict scenes or still images in mosaic forms for a personal and highly unique touch. Athena Stone Tiles are available in a variety of light, subtle tones and finishes; so your mosaic tiled floor can be truly unique and a source of constant fascination!

The 'Gypsy Girl' at Zeugma

Detail of the mosaic of the 'Gypsy Girl', Zeugma, Turkey

Zeugma is an ancient city in the Gaziantep Province of Turkey. The city is home to important archaeological research, carried out extensively in recent years. In 1998-1999, Museum staff from the Gaziantep Museum uncovered the beautiful 'Gypsy Girl' mosaic pictured left. This mosaic floor is a sophisticated example of how the ancient art of mosaic decoration can be used to stunning effect. Note that the colours of the individual tile pieces are deep in hue, but that they are all naturally-occurring stone types available in the region. More information.

The 'Orpheus Mosaic' at Littlecote Park

View of the mosaic at Littlecote Park

In 1727, at Littlecote Park in Wiltshire, around three miles from Hungerford, the remains of a Roman villa were found. Structurally separate from the main villa, just to the south, are the remains of a room whose floor had been completely covered by a partly graphic, partly geometric mosaic floor. The work is an exquisite example of classical mosaic art, and although dating the floor is difficult, the style of the mosaic and the date of the structures around the remains suggests that it was laid during the fourth century AD.

Detail of the mosaic at Littlecote Park

Mosaic centre at Littlecote

Mosaic art dates back to ancient times, with examples found in the far east and middle eastern cultures. Islamic architecture used mosaic to create elaborate geometric designs (a process known as zillij or qashani).

Mosaic floors are associated widely with Roman architecture, across the area dominated by the Roman Empire 2000 years ago; Roman architecture used geometric designs but also developed the tradition to represent images. This tradition for depicting scenes or stories on walls and ceilings was continued by Christian architecture in the building of basilicas and churches since the 4th Century AD. The most notable examples of these were to be seen in the Byzantine empire.

Detail from 'The Great Pavement' in Woodchester, Gloucestershire UK. Laid around AD 325.

More modern examples adorn British colonial architecture and many of the world's rail and metro systems. They have also been used by artists such as Antoni Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol in work throughout the Spanish city of Barcelona.

Techniques of mosaic have changed over the years and are dependent on the result desired. Geometric patterns can be achieved through mathematics, calculating the size, shape and position of each piece of tile to create the whole work. More fluid methods may be used to create images, cutting and shaping each piece to fit a certain design.