Pique Assiette is a style of mosaic that incorporates pieces of broken ceramics - plates, dishes, cups, tiles - and other found objects into a mosaic design. Pique Assiette is commonly referred to as Memoryware, Shardware, Broken China Mosaic, and Bits and Pieces Mosaics.

Pique Assiette comes from the French term translated as "stolen from plate." This folk art began in France and is attributed to Raymond Edouard Isidore. Born in 1900, Isidore began collecting glass and pottery shards in 1938 from the fields near his home in Chartes, France. A bit on the obsessive side, he began covering anything that would stand still with his findings and when every surface of his house, inside and out became covered with his mosaic designs, he soon became a spectacle. He was infamously referred to as "Picassiette" - plate stealer. This term has stuck today to describe this folk art.

Mosaic art is not only beautiful but one of the oldest art forms. There is a long tradition of using discarded materials in the creation of something new. The ancient Romans and Greeks used mosaic art. Aztecs used mosaics as embellishment. This art form remains alive and well today.

The 'Found Objects' add a unique beauty and special interest to mosaic projects. In addition to china and pottery pieces, vintage buttons, antique jewelry, river rock, sea glass, and shells add a unique touch to a piece of mosaic art.