Mosaic Floor with Animals (7)
about A.D. 400
Stone tesserae
A mosaic floor panel features geometric borders and three circular medallions containing depictions of animals. The central medallion shows a rabbit, the left a bird, and the right a quadruped. The mosaic is composed of stone tesserae. Elaborate patterns surround the central medallions of this mosaic, which depict birds pecking at foliage and a hare eating grapes. Four additional border pieces decorated with geometric designs (70.AH.96.2-.5) originally framed this panel of the mosaic. Excavated in 1938 just east of the ancient city of Antioch (present-day Antakya, Turkey), the mosaic decorated the floor of the entryway to the frigidarium (cold-water room) of a public bath. The building was also used as a place for gathering and entertainment. Although the bath was small in scale, its fine construction and lavish decoration attest to the wealth and taste of the pro
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