CC-Tapis Tessera Offset takes inspiration from tesserae – the small, typically square pieces of stone, glass, or ceramic that form the intricate mosaics adorning ancient temples and forums dating back to the 4th century BC. For this project, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg looked to the past, drawing from the rich artistic heritage of the Roman and Byzantine empires. They reinterpreted ancient mosaic patterns into contemporary designs, meticulously handmade by Indian artisans using the traditional dhurrie weaving technique. “Tessera has metaphorical meanings in art, ancient Roman culture, and planetary geology, all linked by the concept of small, individual units contributing to a larger structure or pattern. Our modern interpretation of the form creates dynamic patterns that have interest with irregularity but also comforting consistency that can scale.” – Yabu Pushelberg