We've explored the endless possibilities of crafting a world map from various types of stone, yet one particularly well worth option remains unexplored: the marble map. Today, we'll delve into an example featuring brown marble, known as the Hawksbill Brown.
Unpolished roughness
When you say marble, the image that often comes to mind is of a polished surface, mostly one with a glossy finish. This is similar to the map we discussed in a previous post. The stone world map constructed from a solid 2 cm (approx. 0.8 inch) thick slab of Grigio Orobico marble, this stone map underwent the same polishing process as any other fine piece of furniture. However, a distinctive approach was taken with this particular map.
World map made with brown marble
Advancements in technology have paved the way for a novel technique: embedding various types of stone onto thin sheets of synthetic resin. By adhering rock fragments to this adhesive sheet, a thin layer of authentic stone is formed. Once fully hardened, the result is a slab of genuine rock suitable for wall decoration or further processing into furniture, among other applications. The featured map today was made with this innovative method, a layer of brown marble characterised by stunning veins ranging from light to dark brown.
Close-up photo slab of brown marble
Different thickness like real mountains
The key disparity between the traditional brown polished marble slab and the marble sticked to a synthetic layer lies in both surface finish and weight. Whereas a solid marble slab of this size weighs over 100 kg (approximately 220 pounds), a map created with this marble on a synthetic layer weighs just 3 kg (approximately 7 pounds). Additionally, while the massive marble has a glossy surface, the thin stone veneer possesses a really rough texture. Besides, this particular brown marble has notable variations in thickness, with the topping ranging from 1-5 mm (approximately 0.39- 0.59 inch). Upon closer inspection, these irregularities resemble authentic mountain formations, adding a captivating dimension to the map's aesthetic appeal.
Mega StoneCut world map
Most spaces are suitable for a regular-sized world wall map with a width of approximately 214 cm (7' 0.25'') and a height of approximately 117 cm (3' 10''). However, some are privileged to have large walls where they can install a truly expansive world map, one that nearly spans the entire wall. At MapaWall, they craft these magnificent world maps from a variety of materials. What's more, they ship them worldwide via UPS, making them practically available for everyone. This post focuses on one of these remarkable world maps: the StoneCut Hawksbill Brown XL, installed in Spain.
Installation template StoneCut world map XL
Bigger can be better for sure
Giant world maps can add a stylish touch to any space, whether it's an office or a private residence. A large map, like the one in this example, creates a striking impression on visitors as they enter the room, especially in case of this hallway. The larger-sized MapaWalls span almost 3 meters in width, approximately 10 feet, and stand at 160 cm (5' 1'') in height. As you can see from the photos in this post, these XL maps really set a new standard in size. However, it's not just the map itself that's massive; the included templates are also substantial. Two giant rolls of 1-meter-wide paper come with the map, along with all the necessary materials for easy wall mounting. Given that these XL maps are shipped worldwide, it's no surprise that the packaging is also sizeable. Whether the maps are crafted from wood, stone, or steel, the dimensions of the XL packages remain consistent. These dimensions are close to the maximum limit for shipping via UPS Capital (insured shipping).
StoneCut XL brown marble world map
Real marble on top of the wood
For some of you, StoneCut maps might be a new concept. Let me explain: StoneCut world maps feature a wooden base with a thin layer of real stone on top. These stone layers come in various types, including slate, limestone, quartz, and the brown marble from this example. While marble is often associated with polished finishes, the marble used for this world map is of a brown variety. Traditionally, stone can only be cut using a CNC router. However, this company has developed a groundbreaking method of laser cutting, which remains somewhat of a secret. This innovative approach allows them to cut through various thicknesses of stone, resulting in the most stunning world maps available on the market.
Close-up StoneCut XL brown marble world map
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