Pair of mosaics; Italy, late 19th century.

Pair of mosaics; Italy, late 19th century.
Opus Tessellatum.
Measurements: 64,5 x 49,5 cm; 71,5 x 56,5 cm (frame).
Set formed by two mosaics starring animals. The type of composition in both cases indicates that they were originally part of a larger composition. The characteristics of the pieces, such as the chromatic range of bright shades, show a certain influence of the Ravenna mosaic style, although in this case from a later period.
The art of mosaic came to Rome from Greece, and soon became a whole industry, reaching heights of quality never seen before. It became so widespread that it became the main decoration of any Roman villa or house. In Rome, mosaics were built from small pieces called tesserae (hence the name "opus tessellatum"), cubic-shaped pieces of calcareous rocks, glass or ceramic, of different sizes. These tesserae were arranged on the surface to be decorated like a jigsaw puzzle, distributing the color and shape according to the design, and fixed with cement. The importance of mosaic manufacture is demonstrated by facts such as the facilities granted by Constantine to the mosaicists in 330 when he moved the capital from Byzantium, favoring the exodus of Greek and Roman masters to the new capital, thus laying the foundations of the famous Byzantine mosaic.