1977.216.2509: Mosaic From a Pavement: White Tendril, Black Background

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1977.216.2509

Title

Mosaic From a Pavement: White Tendril, Black Background

Classification

Mosaics

Work Type

mosaic

Date

1-400 CE

Period

Roman Imperial period

Culture

Roman

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/290178

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Stone tesserae

Dimensions

5.9 x 4 x 2.9 cm (2 5/16 x 1 9/16 x 1 1/8 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Henry W. Haynes, bequest; to the Department of the Classics Harvard University, 1912, transfer; to the Fogg Art Museum, 1977.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Bequest of Henry W. Haynes, 1912

Accession Year

1977

Object Number

1977.216.2509

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Mosaic fragment approximately 3 cm thick. The slab is comprised of mainly Roman mortar, with approximately .5 cm thick tesserae (cut stone tiles). On the flat, polished surface, the tesserae are .3 cm square. There is a black background with a white tendril curling upwards (opus vermiculatum). The beginning of another white tendril can be seen to the right side, but it is now broken off. It appears as if the white tendril was put in this area of the fragment first, because the tesserae of the black background curve around it. Above and below this area, there are straight black lines of the background (opus tesselatum), suggesting they were assembled even before the tendrils. The combination of opus vermiculatum and opus tesselatum is called opus classicum.

Commentary

LIVE LIKE A ROMAN: DAILY LIFE OBJECT COLLECTION

Mosaics were most often installed on the floors of Roman houses to decorate them and make the owners appear wealthy. Early mosaics used simple pebbles, usually in black and white, to create designs. They evolved to incorporate cut stone tiles, known as tesserae, which existed in a wide variety of colors. Simple geometric patterns gave way to elaborate scenes with mythological figures, animals, ships, and everyday life.

There are five main types of mosaic work, all with Latin names. The first is "opus regulatum," the most basic type in which the tesserae are laid down in a grid pattern, all aligning vertically and horizontally. The second type is "opus tessellatum." In this type, the tesserae are laid in vertical or horizontal rows, but not both. This is one of the most common types and is often used for the background of scenes. The next type, "opus vermiculatum," is also very common. It is named "vermiculatum" because the rows of tesserae resemble "worms." They curve around figures and details, making this one of the most difficult types of mosaic to execute. When vermiculatum is combined with tessellatum, usually with tessellatum work creating the background for a central image, the whole piece is called "opus classicum." The last main type of mosaic work is "opus sectile," where one large tessera (cut stone) forms the entire shape. For example, a large star may be cut out of stone and laid into a mosaic, with smaller tesserae forming the rows of background color.

[Jessica Pesce 8/12/10]

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