About Stone Mosaic

  About Glass Mosaic
  Return to About the Art Main Page
  Comparison of Stained and Faceted Glass
  Thoughts on the Liturgical Arts


What you should know about Stone Mosaic

Much of the information on the page about glass mosaic also applies to stone mosaic. Most of the stone mosaic work done by JPS is done in the German style. Some of the following are characteristics of these types of stone mosaics:

 

 

 

 

Often designed on at least two levels (a.) the overall graphic forms which when viewed from a distance seems to draw the viewers in so they can discover (b.) many of the interesting details of coloration, texture, inclusions, etc.
Generally are composed of either split-faced or polished species of marble, granite, onyx, travertine, slate, limestone and many of the other types of stone.
Colors of natural stones are generally much more subtle than glass.
Usually display more surface character and relief than glass mosaics.
Because the materials are natural, the color ranges, veining, mottling, etc. within a piece of stone vary greatly - this is a good thing!
Depending on the final design, actual fossils are sometimes incorporated.
Additional materials such as semiprecious stones (turquoise, malachite, etc.) are often used for their more intense coloration.
Occasionally gold, silver, copper and other metals are incorporated as detail for added color, reflectivity and contrast.
Mounted with similar adhesives as glass mosaics, but every installation is different.

Requires a very solid substrate.

Tesserae usually have a wider range in size than those for glass mosaic.
Appropriate for both exterior or interior applications.
No grout is used on our stone mosaics - because of this, the tesserae are cut to fit very precisely - grout would destroy much of the texture of the stone.
Generally a finished stone mosaic will weigh 7 - 12 lbs. / sq. ft. Attention must be given to the structural integrity of the surface on which it is installed.
Usually executed in the direct style and preassembled on the substrate in 6-10 sq.. ft. panels.
When installed, these panels are fitted together and the joints between the panels are concealed or become part of the design. The final piece does not look "sectioned".
All of our stone mosaic work is executed in our studio.
An excellent opportunity to incorporate some of the existing building materials into the art work.
Excellent opportunity to include stone from the surrounding community.
With proper surface lighting, the texture, color and relief of the stone becomes very tactile.
Usually maintenance consists of an occasional washing, depending on how many people touch it.

SOMETHING ABOUT PRICE

     Stone mosaics are comparable in price to glass mosaics. Usually the design for this type of work is non-figurative. Although we don't use the precious smalti of the glass mosaics, the accurate and precise stone cutting which is a characteristic of our stone mosaics is extremely time consuming. The basic decisions one needs to make when comparing and selecting either of these two beautiful art forms should be based on design and setting, not on cost.

top >>  


Copyright © J. Piercey Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.
Hosting and Design by CompBiz, Inc.