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Mosaic Glossary
Your definitive guide to mosaic terminology. Explore the language of artistry, techniques, materials, and craftsmanship that defines our work.
A
Andamento
Artistry
The direction or flow of the tesserae within a mosaic. Used to describe the movement and flow of tesserae.
B
Byzantine
Artistry
Pertaining to the period of the Eastern Roman Empire, known for mosaics using rich colors and gold smalti.
Backing
Materials
The base for a mosaic; generally what the tesserae are mounted to.
Bozzetto
Historical Art
A reduced-to-scale design of mosaic art suitable for customer inspection.
C
Cartoon
Creation Process
A full-scale design of a mosaic, often traced onto a medium to which tesserae are added.
Curing
Installation
The process where adhesive, cement, or grout hardens and strengthens over time.
D
Direct Method
Installation Method
The traditional technique where tesserae are set directly into adhesive or mortar on the final installation surface.
E
Emblema
Historical Art
A mosaic panel featuring a figure constructed of small tesserae worked away from the final installation site.
Efflorescence
Installation
A white, powdery deposit that can appear on tile or grout surfaces due to soluble salts migrating to the surface and crystallizing.
Epoxy Grout
Installation
A two-part grout (resin and hardener) recommended for superior water and chemical resistance.
Epoxy Resins
Adhesives
High-performance, two-part adhesives known for strong, waterproof bonds.
G
Greek Key
Historical Art
A classic decorative border constructed of continuous, interlocking geometric patterns.
Gothic Revival
Design
An architectural movement that began in the late 1740s, popularizing medieval design elements, including mosaics.
Grout
Installation
The material used to fill the interstices between tesserae.
H
Hardie & Anvil
Cutting Tools
Specialized cutting tools used specifically for shaping smalti.
I
Interstice / Interstices
Installation
The gap between tesserae; the spaces in between where grout goes.
M
Millefiori
Glass
Round handmade Murano feature tesserae of "a thousand flowers" dating back to the 15th century.
MDI
Advanced Factor
Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. A chemical component used in certain high-performance adhesives (e.g., polyurethane) and resin binders to enhance bond strength and durability.
Mortar
Adhesives
A mix used to bond bricks or stone; for mosaics, often cement mortar is used as an adhesive.
Metal Mosaic
Materials
Refers to mosaic pieces made from metal or metallic glaze.
Micromosaic
Technique
Using very small tesserae.
Mosaic (Origin)
History
The word mosaic is from the Italian mosaico derived from the Latin mosaicus and ultimately from the Greek word mouseios meaning "belonging to the Muses," hence artistic.
O
Opus vermiculatum
Technique
Mosaics made of minute tesserae. One or more lines of tesserae follow the edge of a special shape (letters or a major central graphic).
Opus tessellatum
Technique
Roman geometric mosaics made up of hand-cut cubed tesserae of stone and marble. Tesserae form vertical or horizontal rows, but not both.
Opus sectile
Technique
A major shape (e.g., heart, letter) is formed by a single tessera. Also referred to as Opus segmentatum.
Opus regulatum
Technique
A grid; all tesserae align both vertically and horizontally.
Opus paladianum
Technique
Tesserae are irregularly shaped, instead of forming rows. Also known as "crazy paving".
Opus musivum
Technique
Wall mosaics made from glass paste and marble. Vermiculatum extends throughout the entire background.
Opus classicum
Technique
When vermiculatum is combined with tessellatum or regulatum.
Opus circumactum
Technique
Tesserae are laid in overlapping semicircles or fan shapes.
Opus (Latin)
Artistry
Latin for "work". The way in which the pieces are cut and placed.
P
Pouncing
Creation Process
A method of transferring cartoon designs to the surface to be mosaiced. The shape is pin-pricked and dusted with charcoal, leaving an outline of the design.
Pietre Dure
Historical Art
An inlay technique using highly polished, cut, and fitted colored stones to create images.
Pique Assiette
Artistry
A style of mosaic where broken pieces of pottery are used as tesserae.
PVA Glue
Adhesives
Polyvinyl acetate adhesive; sometimes used for small indoor mosaics or as a temporary binder.
R
Rotino
Cutting Tools
A hand-turned grinding wheel used to shape tessera.
Reverse Method
Installation Method
A technique where the design is assembled face-down onto paper or a temporary surface, then transferred to the final substrate.
S
SICIS
Glass
Small Italian molded glass tesserae with rounded corners.
Smalti
Smalti
Handmade Italian rectangular bricks of opaque glass used in Byzantine mosaics (e.g., Ravenna). Often left ungrouted due to its naturally occurring bubbled surface.
Silicone Sealant
Installation
A flexible material used to seal joints and prevent water penetration, especially at changes in plane.
Statumen
Bases
Rubble layer beneath floor mosaics.
Substrate / Bases
Installation
The underlying surface to which the mosaic is fixed (e.g., MDF, plywood, concrete, walls, floors).
Squeegee
Tools
A tool with a flat rubber blade used for applying grout or cleaning surfaces.
T
Trompe l'oeil
Artistry
An art technique that creates an optical illusion that objects exist in three dimensions.
Tessera / Tesserae
All Mosaics
An individual piece of mosaic; the term for each piece of material.
Tile Cutter / Nippers
Cutting Tools
An individual piece of mosaic; the term for each piece of material.
Thin-set Mortar
Installation
An adhesive made of cement, sand, and additives used to bond tile to a substrate. Recommended for natural stone.
Tessellate
Artistry
To build or inlay a mosaic (to form a mosaic pattern).
V
Vitreous Glass Tiles
Glass
Mosaic glass tiles in a wide range of colors with a flat smooth surface. Frost and UVA resistant. Ridged on reverse for better adhesion.