Smalti Mosaic Tile

Small rectangular multi-colored chunks of opaque glass, hand-made in Italy. Smalti mosaic tile (or smalto) is the type of opaque glass used in classic Byzantine mosaics. It is also sometimes called Venetian Enameled Glass or Byzantine Glass.

Smalti spans the spectrum, from intense colors to pastels and earth-tones.

As each piece is cut by hand, the size of each tesserae varies, but they are approximately 1/4 in. thick by 3/4 in. long.

Smalti is very weather resistant and will not fade. It is easy to cut with mosaic tile nippers or with a traditional hammer-and-hardie.

There are approximately 240 to 250 pieces of smalti per pound. It will take anywhere from 2 to 3 pounds per square foot. The exact amount depends upon the width your grout lines.

Mosaic Mercantile Smalti Mosaic Tile assorted 1/2 lb. smalti mosaic tile

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