LOT 0143

Roman Geometric Floor Mosaic

CIRCA 1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.

61 1/4 in. (82.5 kg, 156 cm wide including frame).

Fragment or portion of floor mosaic, showing a composition of alternated patterns of different coloured squares in chequerboard pattern, combined in diagonal rows of light yellow, light blue, off-white, pink, red, light violet, again off-white, light grey, light grey, dark grey, off-white, light yellow (repeated two times) light blue and off-white shadows; on the lower part a red line is edging the composition over an off-white band. [No Reserve]

Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11822-207409.

Cf. Ling, R., Ancient Mosaics, London, 1998, p.114 (Mosaics from Ampurias, Spain) for parallel; Arce, J., Ensoli, S. & La Rocca, E., Hispania Romana. Da Terra Di Conquista a Provincia dell'Impero, Venezia, 1997, p.314, fig.3 (Mosaic of Quintanilla de la Queza).

The square-decorated mosaics had a strong presence in the Hispanic provinces, with some 1st century A.D. examples in the houses of Ampurias, up to the late imperial examples of the Villa of Palencia (archaeological site of La Tejada) where the main rooms show wall paintings with geometric, vegetal or decorations imitating marbles, and mosaics with simple geometric decorations alternating with elegant decorative motifs such as swastikas, chequered motifs or ropes, and Solomonic symbols. The chequerboard motif was widespread, and it is visible also in the 3rd-4rd century mosaic of the Roman Villa of Brading or in the house found under the Museum of Lincoln, in Britain.