Testimony of a happy collector !

I love Mr. Lecut's art work very much. These two Chinese characters (tiger and dragon) are originally written by Yamaoka Tesshue, the master of calligraphy, zen, and martial arts. 

It's amazing to see that sensitive brush work in calligraphy can be transferred into the mosaics so brilliantly. I am sure Yamaoka Tesshue sensei is smiling with satisfaction. Thank you, Mr. Lecut

Yoko Hamada Hollyfield

Tesshu's Dragon and Tiger are 14 x 50 " (35 x 123 cm) each mosaics, exclusively made of Cream travertine and black granite.
Yamaoka Tesshu was a famous 19th century Japanese Swordsman.

Japanese Calligraphy is a very unique mosaic theme. If you are interested in acquiring or simply discussing such a piece or mosaics in general, please contact me by phone at (334) 798 1639 or by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com.

The stuff of Mosaic : Stones

Stones are classified base on 2 criteria : how they are made, and what composes them.

Stones were formed a long time ago according to 3 different processes

1 - Born of fire : the Igneous Stones.

These are stones that were once very hot and liquid and cooled down underground. Their grains look like small flecks typically spread consistently throughout stone. They are hard (cannot be scratched by steel) and dense.

Granite is a typical igneous stone used in mosaic. 

Blue Granite

2 - Sedimentary Stones

These stones are formed through the compacting of grains or pieces of any kind of existing rock material. These existing rocks may have been weathered, transported, deposited and then cemented over millions of years by the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates. Sedimentary stones sometimes contain fossils or other distinct features formed at the time of deposition.

Limestones and Travertines are sedimentary stones used in mosaic.

Raw travertine

Gold Travertine

3 - Metamorphic Stone – “Changed in Structure”

They were formed at extremely high pressures and temperatures but did not melt like igneous stones did. The presence of swirls, linear patterns or banding is a key characteristic of metamorphic stones

Marble, Agates, and Slate are metamorphic stones used in mosaic. 

Raw agate

4 slates.

Marble.

2 . Mineral Composition of Stones

Stones basically made of 2 different stuffs  : Silicate (Silicium Oxyde SiO₂₎ and Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)

21 - Silicates

These stones are made mostly of quartz-like particles called silica. They are very hard, durable and generally acid resistant.

Granites, Flint and Slates are Silicates used in mosaic. 

22 - Calcium Carbonates 

The minerals in these stones were formed under pressure over millions of years from the bodies of tiny fossilized creatures. These stones are softer, less durable than silicates and acid sensitive.

Limestones, Marbles and Travertines are Calcium Carbonates used in mosaic.

 

 

 

Tesshu's Tiger - Travertine and Granite

Hidden Dragon

Tesshu's Dragon is a mosaic rendering of Yamaoka Tesshu's Dragon Calligraphy.

Yamaoka Tesshū 山岡 鉄舟, (1836 – 1888) was a famous samurai who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration. He also was a Kendo Master the founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-ryu school of swordsmanship, a Shodo (Calligraphy) Master, and a Zen Master. 

In Taoism, the couple Tiger - Dragon is another symbol for the Yin-Yang Symbol - Tiger generally being the Yang, fiery aspect, and Dragon, the Yin earthy aspect.

This mosaic was commissionned by my friend Yoko, a Japanese swordswoman and massage therapist in Pensacola, Florida.  Tesshu's Dragon as well as its sister Tesshu's Tiger are made of Travertine and black granite, they both measure 18 x 50". 

Crouching Tiger

Tesshu's Tiger is a mosaic rendering of Yamaoka Tesshu's Calligraphy "Tiger.

Yamaoka Tesshū 山岡 鉄舟, (1836 – 1888) was a famous 19th century samurai. He played an important role in the Meiji Restoration and among other things negotiated with Saigo Takamori better known as "the last Samurai". Tesshu also was a Kendo Master the founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-ryu school of swordsmanship, a Shodo (Calligraphy) Master, and a Zen Master. 

In Taoism, the couple Tiger - Dragon is another symbol for the Yin-Yang Symbol - Tiger generally being the Yang, fiery aspect, and Dragon, the Yin earthy aspect.

Tesshu's Tiger was commissionned by my friend Yoko, a gifted Japanese swordswoman and massage therapist in Pensacola, Florida.  Tesshu's Tiger as well as its sister Tesshu's Dragon is made of Travertine and black granite, it measures 18 x 50". 

Although these pieces were sold, I can reproduce them for you.

Crouching Dragon...

Tonight, I completed the laying of the Tesserae of Yamaoka Tesshu's Tiger and Dragon Mosaics. It has been raining so much since last night, that the glue is having a hard time drying up...

There is still lots of work left. Next thing to do will be to pre-grout - then to glue the support on top, after that flip the pieces and finish them. Depending upon what they look like, I may decide to not use any grout. I have not made up my mind yet. 

These are reproductions of Calligraphies by 19th century Kendo and Calligraphy Master Yamaoka Tesshu. 

Each piece is 20 x 49", materials are Travertine, Granite, and Porcelain.