“Mother of Pearls” is the name of an organic-inorganic composite that is derived from certain mollusks. This unique material is known to possess great resilience and strength. In its appearance it comes across as an iridescent material. The pearls along with the layers on the inside wall of an oyster shell are naturally made of nacre. This unique material has been used by the Chinese to produce amazing works of art.

The very nature of the material intrigued the Chinese who are known for the deep love for nature that they possess. The mother of pearls consists of a design pattern of hexagonal platelets that is naturally arranged in continuous parallel lamina. The unique brickwork arrangement of this material gives it the strength and the aesthetics as well. It is no wonder that the Chinese made use of this material as a medium of artistic expression.

Although the material has been used to produce many different kinds of art work the Chinese mother of pearl wall hangings are particularly interesting. As it is the Chinese have a tradition of decorating their homes with different kinds of wall hangings. Shadowed by traditional myths the homes of the Chinese are more than often loaded with wall hangings that symbolize different concepts as well as serve as a means of interior decoration. Although the mother of pearl art work has been a part of Chinese culture for many years today it has gained immense popularity around the world.

Working with mother of pearls

The mother of pearl that is found in black and white was most commonly used in architectural design. One of the things that made this medium even more expressive was the fact that it can be dyed into any color you like. The medium is relatively easy to work with as it can be cut and lamented in frames, on tiles and marble bases to serve as wall hangings.

The Chinese artists would display their great skills as they placed the tesserae with their hands making sure they become sandwiched together so as to stay in place. This would create a unique mosaic pattern that had immense aesthetic appeal. Generally we find the wall hangings to have a thickness of one sixth of an inch. Once the composition is ready and placed in its position it is given a lacquer coating and polished so as to give it a glossy finish that is also durable.

The Chinese would also make use of fiberglass mesh instead of a tile or marble base. They would glue the tesserae on to the fiberglass mesh which became a much lighter product in the end. This was an innovative technique that allowed them to make mother of pearls wall hangings with seamless installation.

Historically we find that the Chinese have made use of these sheets to decorate everything from the floors of their homes to the walls, countertops, ceilings and doors. Individuals interested in the art form can get their hands on Chinese mother of pearl wall hangings as they are widely being sold in the market.