Large Roman Stone Mosaic - Regal Couple w/ Initials

Roman, the Levant, late Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. An impressive and quite sizeable mosaic comprised of thousands of square stone tesserae depicting a couple in a roundel with initials beneath each portrait - "AFR" beneath the female and "ABL" beneath the male. Between these initials is a symbol that resembles a heart. Of course, the heart as a symbol of romantic love was not used until the Middle Ages; in this case, it may have represented a fruit or leaf. Both the male and the female are meticulously delineated with naturalistic features and exceptional modeling so as to provide a sense of three dimensionality and life. They are depicted in 3/4 view and gaze at one another with dreamy hazel eyes. Both are finely dressed in flowing garments and golden crowns. The female is also bedecked with a green stone necklace, earrings, and a crown jewel. The man grips his pointed spear, and a handsome fibula secures the drapery folds of his toga. All is delineated in tesserae of various shades of red, grey, umber, peach, cream, taupe, rose, and yellow. Size: 61.375" W x 57.625" H (155.9 cm x 146.4 cm)

The 3/4 portraits are set against a creamy white ground. Concentric bands of taupe and white tesserae surround this figurative roundel. Next is a wide band with 4 diamonds set at the cardinal points and nested chevrons between them. This is followed by additional narrow bands and corners presenting zigzag motifs.

Mosaics (opus tesellatum) are some of our most enduring images from the Roman world, exciting not only for their aesthetic beauty, but also because they reveal what Romans chose to depict and see every day decorating their private and public spaces. Popular ancient Roman mosaic themes were often mythological or religious scenes, depicting gods and goddesses; however, sometimes mosaics were created to fit the theme of a building or room. This mosaic may have been intended for a public space within a Roman villa such as an atrium, a vestibulum, or a triclinium - to remind the visitors of their hosts' beauty, wealth, and status.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Long Island, New York, USA private collection, 1980s

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#146425
Condition Report: All the stone tesserae are ancient. They are set in a modern matrix and metal frame. Some expected chips to tesserae and some missing tesserae as shown; however, the majority of the composition has survived. Some stable fissures to the matrix. Scattered mineral deposits grace the surface.