| Pavements | | | | family, working in Rome from the 12th Century. Central |
| From antiquity to modern times, pavements take many | | | | to Romanesque architecture, fine examples of their |
| forms; from simple flags of native stone to vast | | | | work can be seen throughout Italy...but are |
| 'carpets' of limestone, terracotta, marble or mosaic. | | | | concentrated in Rome where they had the patronage |
| As early as the 4th Century BC, Egyptian temples had | | | | of the Pope. |
| vast areas of stone flooring - conveying godly power | | | | Surprisingly though, London is home to two exceptional |
| and permanence. Early Christianity continued the | | | | Cosmati floors. In 1269, the newly appointed Abbott of |
| tradition, paving basilicas and churches with floors laden | | | | Westminster travelled to Rome and was dazzled by |
| with secret symbolism. Landmark buildings have | | | | the richness of the mosaics. Returning to England, he |
| always used stone pavements to impress and to | | | | commissioned workmen and materials from Italy to |
| provide a durable surface for the passage of feet. | | | | create Cosmati pavements for Westminster Abbey. |
| Through colour and pattern, pavements have also | | | | The masterpiece is the 'Great Pavement' in front of |
| carried messages to those equipped to read them. | | | | the High Altar, completed in 1268. |
| Egyptian architects, for instance, portrayed mystic | | | | Pavements: Opus-Sectile |
| energies using geometric black and white stone. We | | | | Instead of being made up from small tesserae, Opus |
| can trace the development of this idea through history... | | | | Sectile uses larger, specially-shaped elements in stone |
| black and white floors became icons of locations as | | | | or tile. These are fitted together to create inlaid |
| diverse as Europe's great cathedrals, Flemish | | | | patterns or pictures on walls and floors. |
| merchant houses and Masonic Halls. The meaning | | | | Earliest examples of Opus Sectile work come from |
| behind this and other designs is lost to many, but the | | | | Ancient Egypt and Asia Minor. It reached an artistic |
| aesthetics remain as vigorous as ever. | | | | height in Rome, from 4th- 6th Century, often used to |
| Pavements: Cosmati | | | | create heroic images such as the chariot depicted in |
| A unique form of classical mosaic, Cosmati is | | | | the basilica of the Roman Consul Junius Bassus.. |
| extraordinarily decorative, with swirling bands of | | | | Roman high fashion moved on and Opus Sectile |
| intricate stone and glass and gilded mosaic contrasted | | | | moved East, becoming a feature of ornate Byzantine |
| with highly polished white marble. Often used for | | | | churches. It was not forgotten in Europe though, and |
| pavements, Cosmati also decorates architectural | | | | by 12th Century, Opus Sectile techniques had become |
| elements such as walls and columns. | | | | part of the vast repertoire of mosaic skills used by the |
| Inspired by Byzantine mosaic, Cosmati was a | | | | Roman Cosmati family. Today, it is still practised by a |
| technique exclusive to three generations of the Cosma | | | | very select few specialist craftsmen. |