Fragment, Mosaic Pavement
Production date
Circa 2 CE
Country
Italy
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Object detail
Description
Portion of pavement, comprised of five indvidual large brown-red pottery tessera (c20/25mm square) set in coarse matrix. Irregular edges.
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY Roman masonry fragment
Production date
Circa 2 CE
Production place
Measurements
L70mm x W65mm x D34mm (total)
Each tesserae L20/25mm x W 20-25mm x D 20m square
Each tesserae L20/25mm x W 20-25mm x D 20m square
Media/Materials description
Pottery
Mortar
Mortar
Signature/Marks
J37
History and use
Floor mosaics made of tesserae (small stone cubes) provided a personalised decorative element to buildings. Black tiles on white backgrounds became popular and quickly spread from Ancient Rome. The 4th century AD saw mosaics transform, with hunting and mythological scenes and floral and geometric designs common. Floor mosaics declined with the advent of wall mosaics around the 6th century AD. Designs could be made using a pattern book, and floors could either be laid in place or using pre-made sections in large square frames.
Associated person
Registration number
H5423
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