The mosaics highlighted in this post are from my series, Each Piece Has a History.
I found four, old dinner plates while browsing through several thrift shops in Chicago, years ago. The plates were sitting on a shelf, collecting dirt. Although dirty and showing signs of use, the plates were in good shape, just needed cleaning. The blue rims were attractive, caught my eye and I thought they would make interesting frames for stained glass mosaics. I bought them, at $2.00 a plate, a bargain.
The Polish Horses
These two mosaics are set in dinner plates that were made in Poland for Crate and Barrel. The bold, blue band on the rim enhances the mosaic.
The Iron Stone Ballerinas
The Iron Stone Ballerinas are set in dinner plates, sapphire iron stone, made in Japan. The blue rims are attractive, hand painted and compliment the mosaic.
Vintage, silver plated trays are not fashionable. They sit discarded in second hand stores. However, I find them to be wonderful items that can be converted into colorful, luminous abstract art pieces, decorative and functional.
With work, the tray is converted into the Newport Abstract . It was essential that the surface of the tray to be highly polished to reflect light as it passes through the glass. This gives the piece a deep, luminous feel. The tray’s rim and handles frame the stained glass mosaic, adding a sculptural element.
