G is for gold smalti, luscious, glowing, gold. As smalti from Orsoni is described at mosaicsmalti.com,
“. . .it is real 24-carat gold. It has to be the purest gold to withstand a firing and beating process that obtains the incredible results. With just one cubic centimeter of gold, more than six square meters of beaten gold may be produced in a layer so fine that it is scarcely perceptible to the human eye. The gold leaf is then sandwiched between a transparent glass base and a fine, hand-blown glass that protects the surface. The three elements, heated once again, are welded into a single slab that is free of cracks even in the most minute fragments.”
I was smitten with gold smalti from the moment I received a few precious pieces in a grab bag of miscellaneous smalti. It’s usually sold by the ounce or by the piece, and it’s fortunate that a little goes a long way. This is what makes Byzantine Churches glow. This is what grabs the light and gives it back to you with incredible depth and intense color.
I made this mandala almost entirely from gold smalti, as a gift for Dr. Ed Schillinger and his family, when he was dealing with pancreatic cancer. He was a kind man, and in his memory Stratoz makes “Dr. Ed Mandalas” with a portion of the proceeds going to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network(PANCAN). Another G word is Give, and I encourage you to contribute toward pancreatic cancer research.
Over at Stratoz: Shockingly, G is for Glass
What a wonderful post, and meaningful treatment of the letter G. This piece is beautiful. Looking at it makes me imagine how the Byzantine Churches must glow!
So beautiful! Your work always delights.
Wow, that is lovely.
Thank you for all affirmation!
That makes me very happy to bring delight!