ClassificationsGreek and Roman Art

Opus Sectile Pavement Panel

AAT Object Techniqueopus sectile (technique)

AAT Object Form/Functionpavements (surface elements)

Place CreatedItaly, Europe

CultureRoman

PeriodImperial

Datelate 1st-2nd Century CE

MediumMarble (giallo antico, africano, portasanta, breccia)

Credit LineCarlos Collection of Ancient Art

Dimensions43 5/16 x 78 1/2 in., 800 lb. (110 x 199.4 cm, 362.9 kg)

Object number2008.010.001

Label TextSection of opus sectile pavement composed of square, triangular and rectangular tiles of giallo antico, africano, portasanta and breccia marble arranged into a repeating square-in-square design containted within a grid pattern.

Opus sectile (“cut work”) is a term used to describe the revetment of walls and floors with tiles of marble or other materials cut in specific shapes to form a design when fitted together. As here, stones of different colors were often used to create bold geometric patterns with high chromatic contrast. The technique became popular in the 1st century BC when the expansion of Roman power secured access to colored marbles quarried across the empire, including yellow giallo antico from Simitthu in Numidia; africano (black with red and beige mottling) from Teos in Asia Minor; portasanta (olive green marbling) from Chios; and breccia (white with large red and black inclusions) from Skyros. Because of the exotic provenance of the materials and the complexity of the craft, opus sectile was costly and consequently the preserve of Rome’s wealthiest elites, who often used it to decorate the grandest rooms of their luxury villas.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Gallery, February 2009 - August 26, 2013
MCCM Permanent Collection Galleries, September 25, 2013 - Present
Published ReferencesAntiquarium, Ltd., Ancient Treasures V (2007), 37.
MCCM Newsletter, September - November 2008.

ProvenanceEx coll. Flora Mechoulam, Europe, 1960s. Ex coll. Jorge Rodriguez-Mendez, Mexico, 1960s or 1970s. Acquired by Joseph Coplin (1965-2022) and Robin Beningson [Antiquarium, Ltd.], New York, New York, from New York art market, 1996. Purchased by MCCM from Antiquarium.

Status

On view

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