A list of my top ten
I’m feeling a bit gloomy and introspective after some major dental work so I cheered myself up by spending an evening collecting my favourite mosaics in one place. These are in no particular order.
1. The mosaic floor of the Basilica of Aquileia, Italy, 4th century, AD. Look at this strange little detail of a tortoise meeting a cockerel. It gives you an idea of the odd ball moments in this enormous Roman mosaic which covers the entire floor of the church.
2. The Lod Mosaic, near Tel Aviv, Israel. 3rd century, AD. It is an immensely well preserved Roman mosaic of vast extent and beauty. This photo is only a fraction of the whole.
3. The Map of Madaba, Church of St. George, Jordan. 6th century, AD.
4. The Unswept Floor, Vatican Museum, Rome. 2nd century, AD. I was determined to see this mosaic on a recent trip to Rome, but failed miserably. There were mosaics all over the Vatican but this one eluded me. Even the woman at the information booth couldn’t help. Is it really there?!
made by volunteers
5. The Shepherdess Walk Mosaic Project, Hackney, London. Led by Tessa Hunkin and opened earlier this year. http://hackneymosaic.tumblr.com/. This is a mere drop in the ocean of an enormous community project mosaic recently completed in London.
6. New York City subway mosaics, of which this is one example at Delancey Street. The subway mosaics also include some wonderful mosaic signs which is a use of mosaic that I am particularly partial to.
7. The Low Ham Mosaic, Somerset, UK. This is one of five panels. 4th century AD. Dido embracing Aeneas. It’s his skirt, her bottom and the trees that do it for me.
8. Horse and Pomegranate. 4th century, AD. Villa Fortunatus, Zaragoza Museum, Spain. A horse and a pomegranate in one mosaic. What more can one ask for? 
9. Emma Biggs. Green bowls, detail. As far as I’m concerned, everything Emma Biggs does is perfect, but this is even more perfect than normal.
1
0. Marc Chagall, Four Seasons Mosaic, bird detail, Chase Tower Plaza, Chicago, Illinois. I love the way the andamento is laid in this 21-metre long mosaic completed in 1974.