The mosaic pavements of Brazil - a thread

These ornate pavements are one of the distinctive features of Brazilian cities, and consist of millions of pieces of stone which have been hammered gently by hand to form designs varying from perfectly straight lines...

...to perfect circles. Like so many things, I often wonder how many people take them for granted, walking over them every day without appreciating the workmanship involved.

The most common colours are black and white, but red is used occasionally as a highlight...

...or without any black.

Some shops, companies and public buildings have "personalized" designs, with the establishment's name set into the mosaic.

Here are a few more designs within walking distance of where I live.

Outside the main Post Office in Niterói. The letters "ECT" stand for "Empresa (Brasileira) de Correios e Telégrafos", or "(Brazilian) Mail and Telgraph Conpany".

"Calçadão da Cultura", or "Cultural Promenade"; however, the only "cultural" thing left in the area is a book shop.

Red and white stripes.

Another personalized pavement, outside a fish restaurant / bar.

"Casa das Fechaduras", literally "House of Locks"; a large store which sells not only locks but also door handles, hinges, mailboxes, nameplates etc.

A compass outside one of the city's shopping centres. The calceteiros' attention to detail made sure that it's offset to the line of the street, and pointing in the right direction!