Images(3)

mosaic

Object NamePanel with Birds

Made FromGlass

Date300-399

Place Madepossibly Italy

Techniquemosaic technique, inlaid

SizeOverall H: 28.8 cm, W: 28.2 cm; Panel H: 26.5 cm, W: 26.1 cm

Accession Number66.1.215

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

Designs in Miniature: The Story of Mosaic Glass

Glass of the Caesars

Flowers Which Clothe the Meadows

On ViewAncient Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

This scene of birds, set in a seemingly abstract pattern, was used for interior decoration. Similar panels adorned the villa of the Roman emperor Lucius Verus near Rome, Italy. He was co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius from A. D. 161 to 169.

Physical DescriptionBluish-green glass matrix with opaque colored glass inlays; elements made in mosaic technique, then inlaid. Rectangular plaque; five birds of different colors perch on branches, some terminating in buds, with numerous circular leaves or flowers in background. Each bird is different: (1) top left, facing right, brown outline, yellow body and green wing; (2) top right, facing right, white body and red wing; (3) center, facing left, yellow body and red wing and feet; (4) bottom left, facing right, brown body with white streaks and blue and white wing; (5) bottom right, facing left, dark green body streaked with white and yellow, green and yellow wing, yellow feet; branches consist of canes of various colors: red and yellow, brown and white, plain white; buds are ovoid and monochrome: white (?), pale green, red; leaves or flowers are roughly circular sections from mosaic canes, the majority being either bright turquoise with red and yellow "eyes" or pale green with white "eyes".
Provenance

Source Sergio Sangiorgi (Italian) - 1966

Former Collection Giorgio Sangiorgi (Italian, 1886-1965)