#ropepattern

The last three mosaic images posted all use a knotwork border. Traditionally known as guilloche (actually an 18th century French term) these intertwining rope patterns were used extensively in Roman floor mosaics across the whole Roman world.

The basic pattern is of two strands, but there are many variants, the one in this picture is a three strand guilloche being constructed in the studio. But there is also four, five and six strands or more as well as other looped back variations.
The beauty of them from a mosaic makers point of view is they appear incredibly intricate and elaborate but there construction, and the amount of cutting involved, is relatively simple.
One thing those Roman mosaic makers really knew was how to create incredible mosaics in the most economic way.

#mosaic #guilloche #romanmosaic #mosaicpattern #knotwork #ropepattern #mosaiccraft
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