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Tomettes
Tomettes are a type of terracotta tile that is commonly used as flooring, particularly in southern regions of France including Provence, Dauphiné and the island of Corsica, but also elsewhere including Paris. They are typically hexagonal (or sometimes octagonal) in shape, which allows them to tessellate into a uniform surface while minimizing the need for a Grout, seal substance. History Terracotta tiles were historically valued for their ability to retain heat from a hearth, and for keeping rooms cool in the summer. The tomette was developed in response to an economic crisis in 1829 which saw a fall in purchasing power as a result of industrialisation. Their shape made it possible to maximize the use of clay by minimizing losses when cutting the tiles, and reduces the amount of sealer material required between them. Production was centred in Apt, Vaucluse, Apt and Salernes, where the iron, ferruginous clay soil was ideal for the production of the tiles. By the 1850s production h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tometes
''Tometes'' is a genus of fish in the family Serrasalmidae found in fast-flowing rivers in northern South America. Adults of all seven species in this genus are phytophagous, feeding primarily on aquatic plants in the family Podostemaceae. The genus name ''Tometes'' was coined in 1850 by Valenciennes in reference to the incisiform teeth. When the type species of the genus, ''T. trilobatus'', was described in 1850, it was placed in synonym with ''Myleus setiger'', the type species of the genus '' Myleus'', which is why ''Tometes'' and ''Myleus'' were considered to be the same genus for a long time. It was just later that the two genera were revalitated and other specimen could be categorized in the genus ''Tometes''. Taxonomy Even today the taxonomic classification of the Serrasalmidae is not an easy task. Many names are placed in synonymy due to a lack of information and insufficient data bases. It was not long ago when it was discovered that ''Tometes'' and '' Myleus'' are tw ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Floors
A floor is the bottom surface of a room or vehicle. Floors vary from simple dirt in a cave to many layered surfaces made with modern technology. Floors may be stone, wood, bamboo, metal or any other material that can support the expected load. The levels of a building are often referred to as floors, although sometimes referred to as storeys. Floors typically consist of a subfloor for support and a floor covering used to give a good walking surface. In modern buildings the subfloor often has electrical wiring, plumbing, and other services built in. As floors must meet many needs, some essential to safety, floors are built to strict building codes in some regions. Special floor structures Where a special floor structure like a floating floor is laid upon another floor, both may be called subfloors. Special floor structures are used for a number of purposes: * Balcony, a platform projecting from a wall * Floating floor, normally for noise or vibration reduction * Glas ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Terracotta
Terracotta, also known as terra cotta or terra-cotta (; ; ), is a clay-based non-vitreous ceramic OED, "Terracotta""Terracotta" MFA Boston, "Cameo" database fired at relatively low temperatures. It is therefore a term used for earthenware objects of certain types, as set out below. Usage and definitions of the term vary, such as: *In art, pottery, applied art, and craft, "terracotta" is a term often used for red-coloured earthenware sculptures or functional articles such as flower pots, water and waste water pipes, and tableware. *In archaeology and art history, "terracotta" is often used to describe objects such as figurines and loom weights not made on a potter's wheel, with vessels and other objects made on a wheel from the same material referred to as earthenware; the choice of term depends on the type of object rather than the material or shaping technique. *Terracotta is also used to refer to the natural brownish-orange color of most terracotta. *In architecture, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Azulejos
(, ; from the Arabic ) is a form of Portuguese and Spanish painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework. ''Azulejos'' are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces, ordinary houses, schools, and nowadays, restaurants, bars and even railways or subway stations. They are an ornamental art form, but also had a specific functional capacity, like temperature control in homes. There is also a tradition of their production in former Portuguese and Spanish colonies in North America, South America, the Philippines, Goa, Lusophone Africa, East Timor, and Macau. ''Azulejos'' constitute a major aspect of Portuguese architecture and Spanish architecture to this day and are fixtures of buildings across Portugal, Spain and their former territories. Many ''azulejos'' chronicle major historical and cultural aspects of both Portuguese and Spanish history. Etymology The word ''azulejo'' (as well as the Ligurian ''laggion'') is derived from the Arabic (), zellij meaning "polished sto ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
