Opus sectile refers to an art technique popularized in Rome where materials were cut and inlaid into walls and floors to make a picture or pattern. Common materials were marble, mother of pearl, and glass. The materials were cut to thin places, polished, and then cut further according to the design. Unlike mosaic techniques, where the placement uniformly-sized pieces forms a design, opus sectile pieces are much larger and can form large parts of the design. Nickname: The Eternal City Location within Province of Rome in the Region of Latium Coordinates: Region Latium Province Province of Rome Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni Area    - City 1,285 km²  (496. ... Venus de Milo, front. ... Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is a naturally-occurring organic-inorganic composite. ... Glass can be made transparent and flat, or into other shapes and colors as shown in this ball from the Verrerie of Brehat in Brittany. ... Mosaic is the art of decoration with small pieces of colored glass, stone or other material. ...

Origin

Although early examples have been found from Egypt and Asia Minor, the most prominent artifacts remain from 4th century Rome. A large set from the basilica of Roman consul Junius Bassus survived, depicting an elaborate chariot and other things. The popularity of opus sectile designed continued in Rome through the 6th century, and affected areas as far as Istanbul, Turkey. Asia Minor lies east of the Bosporus, between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 4th century was that century which lasted from 301 to 400. ... St. ... Hittite chariot (drawing of an Egyptian relief) Approximate historical map of the spread of the chariot, 2000 –500 BC. A chariot is a two-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle. ... This Buddhist stela from China, Northern Wei period, was built in the early 6th century. ... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural, and economic centre. ...

Later uses

Although the technique died down in Rome, it continued to be used prominently in Byzantine churches, primarily in floor designs. It was also used by the Greeks, who eventually brought it back to Italy and Sicily in the 12th century. Byzantium was an ancient Greek city-state, which according to legend was founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas or Byzantas (Βύζας or Βύζαντας in Greek). ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian and Sicilian, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 sq. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ...

References

• James, Liz. "Opus sectile", Grove Art Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.