Mosaic with a Peacock and Flowers
This mosaic, probably part of a much larger floor mosaic, shows a peacock among flowers. The peacock was a popular subject for Roman and Byzantine artists, often used to represent paradise, renewal, and spring. Byzantines might have thought the peacock an appropriate symbol for the season, because its elaborate feathers grew each spring. Associating the peacock with heavenly paradise was an extension of the Byzantine vision of earthly paradise—many wealthy citizens were known to have kept peacocks to roam about the flowers and trees of their gardens.
Artwork Details
- Title: Mosaic with a Peacock and Flowers
- Date: 3rd–4th century
- Geography: Made in probably North Africa
- Culture: Roman or Byzantine
- Medium: Tesserae mounted in metal frame
- Dimensions: Overall: 19 5/16 x 22 11/16 x 1 3/16 in. (49 x 57.7 x 3 cm)
- Classification: Mosaics
- Credit Line: Gift of Kirkor Minassian, 1926
- Object Number: 26.68
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
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Roman
250–300
Returned to lender
North African (Henchir Chigarnia, Tunisia)
late 4th–early 6th century C.E.
Returned to lender
North African (Sousse, Hadrumetum, Tunisia)
150–200 C.E.
Returned to lender
North African (Tunisia, Furnos Minor, Messadine)
late 4th–early 5th century
Returned to lender
North African (Hammam Lif, Tunisia)
6th century C.E.
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