Roman mosaic fragment

ITEM: Mosaic fragment
MATERIAL: Tessera
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 65 mm x 80 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, bought in the last decade in different antiques and auctions websites.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman mosaics were a prominent form of decorative art in the Roman world, used to adorn the floors, walls, and ceilings of villas, public buildings, and bathhouses from the Republican period (c. 2nd century BCE) to the Late Empire (5th century CE). These mosaics were composed of small, colored stone, glass, or ceramic pieces called tesserae, arranged to create intricate geometric patterns, mythological scenes, and depictions of daily life. The artistry and complexity of Roman mosaics varied, from simple black-and-white floor designs to elaborate, multi-colored compositions with shading and perspective techniques that showcased the skill of Roman mosaicists.

The subject matter of Roman mosaics reflected the interests and status of their patrons. Mythological themes, such as scenes of gods and heroes, were common in elite homes, symbolizing cultural refinement and knowledge of classical literature. Hunting scenes, gladiatorial combats, and marine life were also popular, particularly in North African and Eastern provinces, where workshops developed distinctive regional styles. Some mosaics served a more practical purpose, such as those found in bathhouses and dining rooms, where they often included inscriptions or humorous depictions of food and drink, celebrating the pleasures of Roman life.

Roman mosaics provide valuable insights into Roman society, artistic techniques, and trade networks. The materials used, including exotic marbles and colored glass, reveal the vast commercial connections of the empire. The decline of large-scale mosaic production coincided with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century CE, though the tradition continued in the Byzantine world, influencing medieval and Islamic decorative arts. Today, surviving Roman mosaics are among the most important archaeological finds, offering a vivid glimpse into the aesthetic tastes and daily lives of ancient Romans.