Mosaic of Amphora, with Doves on Rim, Flanked by Peacocks

Said to be from Homs (ancient Emesa), Syria. Between 1971 and May 1972, sold by Peter Marks Fine Art (New York, NY) to Jonathan Morse (New York, NY); November 1972, gifted by Jonathan Morse (New York, NY) to Elvehjem Art Center [now called Chazen Museum of Art]. [Last researched by Chazen staff January 2023]

This square mosaic is composed of small, colored tiles arranged in a symmetrical design depicting a large vase and four birds. At the center is a large, two-handled vase rendered in shades of brown, beige, and grey. The vessel features a wide, oval mouth, a tapered neck, and a bulbous body that narrows into a small foot. Two curving handles connect the rim to the body, which is embellished with a horizontal grey and white band and vertical, petal-like fluting in reddish-brown and grey. Flanking the vase are two peacocks, each as tall as the vase and shown in profile. Their bodies, legs, and feet face outward, while their heads turn inward toward each other. Each bird has a small grey crest and a long, curved, slender neck. Their bodies are colored in mottled grey and olive green, outlined in dark grey. Their long tail feathers sweep downward, following the contours of the vase, and feature distinct circular “eye” patterns in beige, reddish-brown, and dark grey. Two smaller birds, resembling doves, perch on the vase’s rim, facing inward. Their stout bodies are rendered in grey and beige with tail feathers curved upward. The background is filled with plain white tiles, contrasting with the earthy tones of the vase and birds. The composition is enclosed within a narrow border of darker tiles, while a partial geometric border in dark red and white is visible along the top edge. Small horizontal and diagonal cracks are visible on the left side, and the edges are irregular with missing tiles, indicating age and wear.

• Europe
• Architectural Decoration
• Alt Text Accessible

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