south street mosaic, isaiah zagar
Friday, September 15, 2006
Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus
This is the mosaic that gives "The House of Orpheus" its name. Orpheus was the human who first invented music (or, depending on the version of the legend, learned music from Apollo) and his singing and playing was said to be so wonderful that the animals of the forest gathered around to listen, as shown in the mosaic. Actually, the most common Orpheus myths said that even the plants and rocks would draw near when he played.
The House of Orpheus is located just a little past the House of Theseus, near what would have been the ancient seashore of Paphos.
Mosaic floor
This house was off-limits to entry, but we could take pictures through the door. Notice the uneven, corrugated appearance of the atrium after the entry hall; the ground shifted at the time of the eruption. This is more apparent in the next picture. Also, note the swastika in the middle row of the patterns in the entryway; it was a good luck charm.
Herculaneum - wall mosaic
This mosaic is in the same room as the Neptune mosaic, which is off to the right just out of the field of view.
Neptune mosaic
This beautiful decoration features Neptune and Amphitrite, and gives a name to the house containing it: the House of the Neptune Mosaic.
Eagle Mosaic
Mosaic Museum in Arasta Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey.
Notice the fine fan details in the background... beautiful work
lisbon mosaics
Scattered all around Lisbon are these mosaic patterns. It makes a walk around the city very enjoyable, when even the floor offers something interesting. The work of laying the mosaics was done as a public service by inmates.
Mosaic mask of Tezcatlipoca
The skull of the Smoking Mirror
This mask is believed to represent the god Tezcatlipoca, one of the Aztec creator gods. He was also the god of rulers, warriors and sorcerers. His name can be translated as 'Smoking Mirror'. In fact, in many depictions during the Postclassic period (A.D. 900/1000-1521) his foot is replaced by a mirror.
The base for this mask is a human skull. Alternate bands of turquoise and lignite mosaic work cover the front of the skull. The eyes are made of two discs of iron pyrites set in rings made of shell. The back of the skull has been cut away and lined with leather. The jaw is movable and hinged on the leather.
Turquoise was sent as tribute to the Aztec capital from several provinces of the empire. Some of those provinces were located in present-day Veracruz, Guerrero and Oaxaca. The turquoise was sent as raw chunks or as cut and polished mosaic tiles decorating a variety of objects, such as masks, shields, staffs, discs, knives and bracelets. We know from a tribute list issued by the emperor Motecuhzoma II that ten turquoise mosaic masks, made by skilled Mixtec artisans, were sent each year from a province in Oaxaca.
Mosaic at Monreale
The mosaics in the cathedral at Monreale, a small town overlooking Palermo in Sicily, fantastic photo!
Macedonia
A small Basilica was discovered in excavations made before the Second World War between 1936-1938. At first it was thought to be an ancient palace, but in the later research from 1960-1964, it became clear that it was an early Christian basilica. There is a decorated floor mosaic, exposed now to the sun and elements, within the basilica and several rooms have been unearthed. The mosaic in the narthex is of early Byzantine art, a big composition at a size of 100 square metres, with birds, trees, bushes, a red dog (a symbol of paradise), and animals beasts as a domain of the earth. This mosaic dates from the end of the 6th century.
Mosaic - Island of Aegina
Mosaic floor from 5th century AD synagogue on Aegina near the Temple of Apollo (Kolona)
Mosaic Icon of Christ
This Byzantine mosaic from the 14th century is on the first floor of Aya Sofya. It represents the Christ, and on the right, I assume the writing "Οαγιος Ιω." refers to Saint John the Baptist.
Mosiac Door
Venice, Italy
I love images of doors, not sure how I feel about the mosaic above, but hey it's venice, they can get away with it... ;o)
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