Crucifix Installed in Niche in Altarpiece by artist Nicholas Vasko

Imitation Gold Glass for Altarpieces and Icons

Religious icons make heavy use of gold leaf glass to represent halos and divine light but also to adorn the figures and to communicate the preciousness of the image. Of course we carry 24 kt Gold Leaf Glass for use in icons and other mosaics, but the material is expensive for obvious reasons, and so the question becomes what do you use when you need to make something larger, such as an altarpiece or a life-size icon?

The answer is the silver-foil glass product known as Imitation Gold Mosaic Glass, which has an epoxy coating over the silver backing to prevent oxidation and blackening by adhesives.

Artist Nicholas Vasco emailed us some pictures of a couple of his recent projects using Imitation Gold Glass, and they are impressive. Both the altarpiece and the mosaic inserts of the chapel entrance way are very well done and worth talking about for several reasons.

Doorway Mosaic Insert by artist Nicholas Vasko
Doorway Mosaic Insert by artist Nicholas Vasko uses a woven pattern of two different types of imitation gold mosaic glass (smooth and wavy) for increased visual interest.

No Grout

Grout is put between the tiles of wet and outdoor mosaics to keep water from getting to the cement beneath the tiles, and that is not a relevant concern for indoor icons.

Dry indoor mosaics do not have to be grouted, and classical mosaics and mosaic icons were never grouted. Instead, tiles were placed together as closely as possible.

Domed Alcove Niche In Progress by artist Nicholas Vasko
Domed Alcove Niche In Progress by artist Nicholas Vasko using 10mm (3/8 inch) imitation gold mosaic glass. The smaller size means more facets in the surface to reflect light at different angles. The results are dazzling.

Curved Surfaces

When you put reflective tile on a curved surface, light will be reflected at different angles for a dazzling effect. In the domed alcove niche shown above, Nick used the smaller 10mm tiles to increase the number of facets. The smaller size also makes it easier to follow the curved surface.

Note the orientation of the tiles as “diamonds” instead of as “squares” also made it easier to follow the complex curve of the dome in a way that is more visually appealing than the usual grid.

Chapel Entrance by artist Nicholas Vasko
Chapel Entrance by artist Nicholas Vasko

Reflective and Non-Reflective

In the photo of the chapel entrance above, notice how well the non-reflective lettering stands out in the field of reflective gold. Notice how each gold tile is a facet that can reflect light at a slightly different angle as the observer moves.

Altarpiece with Mosaic Inserts by artist Nicholas Vasko.
Altarpiece with Mosaic Inserts by artist Nicholas Vasko.

In the photo of the completed altarpiece above, notice how “less is more” in that reflective gold glass is not used everywhere but only in select insets and niches. The matte painted surfaces provide contrast and put the focus on the crucifix and crosses as intended.

Other Colors Available

Artists wanting to make something other than a gold religious icon can get similar reflective effects in other colors using our 15mm Colored Mirror Tile, which has a proprietary epoxy coating over the silver to prevent blackening.

Colored Mirror Tile in 15mm
Colored Mirror Tile in 15mm is light reflective but not image reflective.

Artists could also use this colored reflective glass selectively in religious icons for stunning results. For example, the Sacred Heart of Jesus or some iconic element of a larger image could be rendered in the Colored Mirror Tile while the rest of the image was rendered in conventional glass tile or smalti.

I have long wanted to promote this product for those type projects just to see what people made with it. I expect to see some amazing work given the nature of the material.

Warnings about Mirror Mosaic

Note that our Colored Mirror Tile is light reflective but not image reflective because it has crazing (random streaking, waves, or bubbles) to increase visual interest. That is a good thing. Here’s why:

The idea of using ordinary mirror in mosaics is exciting, but the results are usually dull because reflecting a tiny piece of an image is not nearly exciting as color provided by ordinary tile.

Mirror Adhesive Warning

Ordinary adhesives will oxidize and blacken pieces of mirror, which require a special adhesive. Note that our Colored Mirror Tile and Imitation Gold Mosaic Glass have an epoxy coating to protect the silver backing, and so you can use regular mosaic adhesives on them.


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8 responses to “Imitation Gold Glass for Altarpieces and Icons”

  1. Judy Masterson Avatar
    Judy Masterson

    Joe
    Thank you so much for sharing. This is just the inspiration that I needed. Now the decision over which tile to use is still a delima. How does the imitation gold tile hold up over the years?

    1. Joe Moorman Avatar
      Joe Moorman

      Hi Judy,
      No metal except gold is going to age for centuries without tarnishing, but I suspect that silver under glass protected from the air by the adhesive should easily last for decades and decades in a controlled climate, maybe significantly longer.
      Joe

      1. Judy Masterson Avatar
        Judy Masterson

        Thank you Joe. Your comments are truly appreciated.

  2. Judy Masterson Avatar
    Judy Masterson

    What is the material used to make the wall niche base?

    1. Joe Moorman Avatar
      Joe Moorman

      Hi Judy,
      It appears to be laminated wood, probably poplar, that was roughly sized, glued together, and then smoothed and sanded. At least, that is how I would make it if I were using wood instead of a wire and concrete sculpture.
      Joe

      1. Judy Masterson Avatar
        Judy Masterson

        Joe
        Thank you for your response. We will be near you in Sept. and would like to check out the gold tile vs. the imitation gold tile. Judy Masterson

  3. Ali Casado Avatar
    Ali Casado

    I made the “Hand of Fatima” or also called The Hamsa Hand. I used your imitation gold mosaic glass both in the smooth and wavy. I only used it here and there on the piece; not on the whole piece. It came out beautiful. I will try to send you a picture of it.
    Thanks for all the tips.

    1. Joe Moorman Avatar
      Joe Moorman

      Hi Ali,
      Please do! I would love to see it!
      Joe

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