A design or picture, usually for a floor or
wall, produced by inlaying small pieces of
marble, glass, or other materials. Mosaic was
commonly used by the Romans for their villas
(for example Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli) and
by the Byzantines. The art was revived by the
Italians during the 13th century, when it was
used chiefly for the decoration of churches
(for example San Vitale, Ravenna). More
recent examples of mosaic work can be seen in
the hall of the Houses of Parliament and in
Westminster Cathedral, London.