Dionysae scenes: Mosaic from Olynthos

image source

When I wrote the essential guide to mosaics post from ancient times till the late Byzantine era (I mean to write more on the historical aspect of mosaic art including lots of pictures) I wrote very few things on Olynthos. Today, I came across another mosaic from Olynthos and I am happy to publish it for my viewers. Looks almost like embroidery from a distance right? It was found in the "House of Good Fortune"and dates 432-348 BC. Adorable and captivating.

Sitting pretty ...on a beaded armchair - καθήστε άνετα...πάνω σε πολυθρόνα καλυμμένη με χάντρες

You can walk on mosaic (floors) but can you sit on mosaic?...Well, this artwork is not really a mosaic but close. An intriguing and impressive armchair made with beads. An unusual -->ethnic-like work of art.

What do you think?

Featured -->on http://specificmerchandise.com.

Μπορείτε να περπατήσετε πάνω σε ψηφιδωτά (δάπεδα) αλλά να καθήσετε πάνω σε ψηφιδωτ -->ές επιφάνειες;...Το έργο αυτό δεν είναι πραγματικό ψηφιδωτό αλλά κάτι ανάλογο. Μία πολυθρόνα καλυμμένη με χάντρες, συναρπαστική και εντυπωσιακή. Ένα ασυνήθιστο -->ethnic-περίπου έργο τέχνης. 

Τι λέτε -->; 

Από το http://specificmerchandise.com.

Seeing mosaic artists work: This video is a MUST

I'm speechless! I think I will watch this video a million times but not today because I am far too emotional right now (for coming across this video of course) and too busy and must catch up with various loose ends ....Thank you Mosaic Art Now for posting it and thank you Fotis Flevotomos.

The silver connection: Versace, Felice Nittolo, Gemstone Creative and Rockocko tiles

Versace 
Look at this detail from a fabulous Versace dress.




Which brings to mind...

Felice Nittolo
A trendsetter mosaic artist


And of course what I call a company who has carved out a very precious niche...

Gemstone Creative
A UK company making mosaics with diamonds and precious stones for your very opulent living space; in times like these it's almost uncalled for but not for the super-loaded-for-eternity guys and girls.

This one pictures Marilyn.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend or what?

(I emailed the company and they confirmed it was made with Swarovski but it can also be done, naturally with diamonds..Oh...I could become a Luxury advisor!)


But I suggest we learn to practice frugality and modesty while staying classy with...

Rockocko Custom wall tiles
Accidentally cropped up on Google and not accidentally part of this post. Rather interesting don't you think?

Mosaic + Music

Listen to this sublime and beautiful Greek Byzantine hymn in. This is a modern version by Vangelis sung by Irene Papas. Notice the gold mosaic background on the album.

May of flowers, May of showers

image source

I am saying showers because it has been raining here in Northeast Italy these past 2 days. But the mesmerising and fragrant carpet of purple flowers somewhere in Japan does the trick and lifts me up!

Falling in love 16 centuries ago! - Ο έρωτας 16 αιώνες πριν!

source of the stamp pictures: http://www.mlahanas.de/Cyprus/Geo/Paphos.html


The House of Aion in Pafos (Cyprus) contains mosaic floors of the 4th century AD and is an important monument for mosaics . Aion in Greek (αιών) means century. This particular detail in the picture shows a centaur playing the lyre and a Maenad and it's one of the mosaics that I love most. Well..I could write and write on Paphos and its mosaics but I am running out of time. One thing I should definitely say is that Paphos is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite (from Greek afros or aphros=αφρός meaning foam and dio=δύω, αναδύομαι meaning appear or rise from the sea.) What is absolutely superb about this mosaic piece is that it's featured on a stamp and there's even one picturing Aphrodite! Wonderful don't you think?

Η οικία του Αιώνα στην Πάφο της Κύπρου, ένα σημαντικό μνημείο για την τέχνη του ψηφιδωτού, περιέχει ψηφιδωτά δάπεδα του 4ου αιώνα π.Χ. Η συγκεκριμένη σκηνή παρουσιάζει ένα κένταυρο που παίζει λύρα και μία μαινάδα και πρόκειται για ένα από τα αγαπημένα μου ψηφιδωτά. Λοιπόν...θα μπορούσα να γράψω ένα σωρό πράγματα για την Πάφο και τα φημισμένα ψηφιδωτά της αλλά δεν με παίρνει ο χρόνος. Ένα πράγμα σίγουρα αξίζει να ειπωθεί και είναι πως η Πάφος είναι ο τόπος όπου γεννήθηκε η Αφροδίτη σύμφωνα με την μυθολογία. Αυτό που πραγματικά συναρπάζει και που σχετίζεται με αυτό το ψηφιδωτό είναι ότι εικονίζεται σε γραμματόσημο και εκτός αυτού υπάρχει και γραμματόσημο με την Αφροδίτη! Δεν είναι υπέροχο;

note: The text was originally written in English and then translated into Greek.

G-old Venice

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On the occasion of St.Mark's being today I wanted to post some images are from St.Mark's in Venice, my favourite Italian city, a landmark for Byzantine art in Italy and an echo of a past that "refuses to bury its dead."

Waiting for the summer

I came across these wonderful pebble mosaics on the internet. A perfect blend of tradition and originality. I also like the stone slabs that surround the two mosaic panels. Truly lovely.


via http://www.dodekanisa.net


........reminding us of an ancient mosaic from Delos (UNESCO World Heritage):



......and of an outstanding mosaic from Rhodes:


source of the above picture: http://www.holiday.gr/galleries/photo.php?photo_id=175

Acqui Terme, Italy: charming horse mosaic - un cavallino stupendo in mosaico - ένα υπέροχο αλογάκι σε ψηφιδωτό

I have recently discovered the existence of this wonderful black and white horse head mosaic from Acqui Terme while doing some other search on the internet. When I googled Acqui Terme mosaics to find out more, I was surprised to see that not much information had cropped up. These mosaics may not be flashy, colourful or striking but they are charming in a minimalist "almost modern" way. Being a big fan of simple yet charming things, when it comes to mosaic art I am captivated by the glittering gold just as much as by the "humble" black and white. Oh yes, another idea for a post. Black and white. Why do I have to keep coming up with ideas that I have little time to work on?

Πρόσφατα ανακάλυψα την ύπαρξη αυτού του υπέροχου ψηφιδωτού σε μαύρο και άσπρο που εικονίζει το κεφάλι ενός αλόγου φτιαγμένο με ψηφίδες από το Acqui Terme ενώ έψαχνα κάτι άλλο στο διαδύκτιο. Μετά όταν έριξα μιά ματιά στο Google για τα ψηφιδωτά του Acqui Terme για να μάθω κάτι περισσότερο μου έκανε εντύπωση που δεν εμφανίστηκαν πολλά αποτελέσματα. Αυτά τα ψηφιδωτά μπορεί να μην είναι εκθαμπωτικά, λουσμένα στο χρώμα ή εντυπωσιακά αλλά είναι γοητευτικά με ένα μινιμαλιστικό "σχεδόν μοντέρνο" τρόπο. Είμαι μεγάλη οπαδός των απλών πραγμάτων που είναι συνάμα γοητευτικά και έτσι όσον αφορά στην τέχνη του ψηδιδωτού με συναρπάζει τόσο το λαμπερό χρυσό όσο και το "ταπεινό" μαυρόασπρο. Να μία άλλη ιδέα για ανάρτηση. Μαύρο και άσπρο. Μα γιατί πρέπει πάντα να μου έρχονται ιδέες τις οποίες δεν έχω αρκετό χρόνο να επεξεργαστώ;

Di recente mentre stavo cercando di una cosa su internet ho scoperto dell'esistenza di questo stupendo mosaico in bianco e nero con la testa di un cavallino da Acqui Terme. Dopo quando ho cercato su Google i mosaici di Acqui Terme mi sono stupita di trovare poche cose. Questi mosaici forse non sono splendenti o pieni di colore o non fanno colpo ma sono affascinanti in un modo minimalista e "quasi moderno." Essendo una tifosa delle cose semplici e nello stesso momento fini, quando si parla dell’arte del mosaico sono affascinata sia dall'oro scintillante che dal “modesto” bianco e nero. Ecco un’altra idea per un post. Bianco e nero. Ma perché devo sempre inventarmi delle idee se non ho tempo di elaborarle?

note: The post was originally written in English and then translated into Greek and Italian.

image source: palazzomadamatorino.it