Mosaic and History

The beginnings of mosaic art are difficult to determine, but historians are generally in agreement that the origins emerged in the orient, and goes back some 4,000 years or more.

This art form was not born in a particular place or time. Rather, it appeared sporadically in various cultures and locations not connected with each other, until finally this art form became more prominent and was subsequently developed and disseminated. Therefore, the art of mosaic, in one form or another, has been practiced for thousands of years, but mosaic as we know it was invented by the Greeks, who then passed their skills on to the Romans. Many ancient mosaics have survived the ravages of time remarkably well.

The Romans in due course became the Byzantines, who are renowned for their superb wall and vault mosaics. Byzantium fell in the 15th century AD, and mosaic went into a decline until the great revival in the 19th century, a revival which has continued to this day.