mosaic pavement
- Museum number
- 1899,0614.1
- Description
-
Mosaic pavement, originally quadrangular. The scheme is comprised of a large central circle with 8 radial bands almost linking it to an outer circle within a square frame; this is drawn in simple guilloche outlined in purplish-brown with strands of alternating blue-grey, buff and white, and red, buff and white. The central medallion is occupied by a figure of Bacchus seated on a small leopard. Within the segmented compartments formed by the radial bands are purplish-brown and red linear frames containing small inward-facing heads apparently with hats (one Phrygian) and with scrolls springing from their chins. Above them are bands of wave pattern alternately shaded in various combination of purplish-brown, white, red and buff. In the spandrels are female busts, of which 3 survives. Two appear to have a diadem of flowers with buff leaves while a third seems hooded, thus probably identifying them as the Seasons. Above the panel is a narrow rectangle delineated by a single fillet and flanked by bands of stepped triangles; this holds the inscription [Q]VINTVS NATALIVS NATALINVS ET BODENI. Corresponding inscription below and most of the central roundel representing Bacchus is lost.
- Production date
- 250-350
- Dimensions
-
Length: 4484 millimetres
-
Width: 4798 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- When first uncovered in 1823, this mosaic floor still possessed its central roundel showing a large and muscular Bacchus perched upon a tiny leopard. The heads in the spandrels (corners) probably represent the Seasons. By the late 19th century the floor was gradually being destroyed by agriculture, and it was lifted and presented to the Museum by its owners. The incomplete inscription remains enigmatic: the surviving line above the picture panel is a list of personal names, Quintus, Natalius, Natalinus and Bodeni, the last apparently a Celtic name, but the loss of the lower line of text makes their meaning and significance impossible to infer.
- Location
- On display (G49/wall)
- Acquisition date
- 1899
- Acquisition notes
- Found in 1823.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1899,0614.1
