Micro Mosaic

IN SUMMARY
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROMOSAIC BUTTONS ARE:

• Size: Micromosaics are typically small to large buttons, with individual pieces of glass measuring only a few millimeters in size. The most intricate micromosaics can feature up to 5,000 tesserae per square inch in the larger art pieces.
• Materials: Micromosaics are usually made from tiny pieces of colored glass, tesserae, which are arranged to form a larger image or pattern. The glass pieces may be backed with gold or silver foil to enhance their color and reflectivity.
• Technique: The glass tesserae pieces used in micromosaics are typically cut into small irregular shapes and then arranged into a larger pattern or image with tweezers and a lighted magnifier glass. The glass is then set into a cement-like material to hold it in place.
• Subject matter: Micromosaics often depict flowers, birds/animals, insects, people, landscapes, buildings as well as historical or mythological scenes.
• Shapes: Round, oblong, oval, rectangular, square Back mark: Some of mosaic buttons have the back mark of “Italy,” while others have no back mark.
• Durability: Micromosaic buttons are generally very durable, but still must be handled carefully. Pieces of tesserae are sometimes MIA, as they have fallen out and lost, which is sad. This can affect the value of the button. Value: Micromosaic buttons are highly valued by us buttons collectors for their intricate beauty, subject matter, ornateness, and historical significance. Value can be in the $20.00 range to $1000.00’s of dollars, depending on their rarity, artist and subject matter.
• FAMOUS MICROMOSAICS ART YOU SHOULD KNOW:
  • Doves of Pliny: In the 2nd century BCE, Sosus of Pergamon, the only mosaic artist whose name was documented in literature, created a micromosaic of doves drinking from a bowl for Hadrian’s villa. Sosus’ motif has continued to inspire artists throughout the millennia.
  • The Dream of Karpa Koï bracelet: Roman mosaic and jewelry artist Maurizio Fioravanti creates fewer than ten jewelry pieces a year, with items starting at a minimum of $50,000. This bracelet renders a famous Chinese myth with the micromosaic jewelry techniques mastered by Italian artisans centuries before Fioravanti’s birth.
  • Mosaic of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece The Last Supper: A monumental commission by Napoleon I, this historic micromosaic was created by Italian mosaicist Giacomo Raffaelli. It is a brilliant tribute to Leonardo's famed masterpiece.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Micro mosaic Brooch. Circa 1850. M.S. Rau. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Micro mosaic Brooch | M.S. Rau (rauantiques.com)