In the 600s, Byzantine artisans began using silver foil and leaf in church mosaics, creating shimmering effects alongside gold. This technique enhanced the visual impact of religious art, reflecting the wealth and artistic sophistication of the Byzantine Empire. The use of precious materials in mosaics played a crucial role in conveying spiritual themes and the glory of the divine.

The use of silver foil in Byzantine mosaics around 600 AD evoked celestial imagery that influenced Byzantine hymns and later Romantic poetry. Poets like John Milton and William Blake drew upon these themes to explore the divine and the transcendent in their works.