Mosaic Art / Pique Assiette

It happens, although not very often, that something slips out of my fingers and shatters in to many pieces. I don't make a big deal out of it and always refer to the Dutch saying: Shards bring luck.

I wished however that I had swept up all those shards of ceramics and glass and instead of dumping them in the trash can, had saved them in a bucket or container. I could have used them for Pique Assiette art. I will keep it in mind for next time though.

Pique Assiette or shard art is a form of mosaic which incorporates pieces of broken ceramics like plates, dishes, cups, tiles and other found objects into the creation. The French term quite literally means, "stolen from plate".

It is believed to be introduces by Raymond Edouard Isadore, a french man who lived from 1900 - 1964 in Chartres, France and utilized all the shards of glass and pottery he found in the fields surrounding his house, to decorate both the inside and the outside of his home along with everything else in it.

Maison Picassiette, as his house was called later, is now a well known tourist attraction as well as a historic monument. His creative mosaics can be admired throughout the year and may lend themselves as inspiration to do some shard art yourself.

I have no doubt that once you put it all together, the result will be a great piece of conversation. :-)