Advanced Search 
Mosaic
Byzantine
Early Byzantine Period
A.D. 450–462
Dimensions
Legacy dimension: Diameter: 0.97 m.
Credit Line
Gift of Michael Filides
Accession Number1970.324
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsMosaics
DescriptionTwo peacocks perch on a fountain, in the form of a kantharos into which water flows from a stylized floral (palmette) spout above. Colors: pale red and blue on yellow. From the floor of a church complex near (at) Marathus or Homs (Edessa).
ProvenanceSaid to be from the floors of a large church and monastic complex near Emesa (Homs), Syria [see note 1]. By 1968, George Zacos (dealer; b. 1911 – d. 1983), Basel; 1969, sold by Zacos, through Robert E. Hecht (b. 1919 – d. 2012), Rome, to Michael Filides (d. 1997), Nordest Gallery, Boston; 1969, gift of Michael Filides to the MFA [see note 2]; 1970, accessioned by the MFA. (Accession Date: April 8, 1970)
NOTES: [1] According to curator Cornelius Vermeule at the time of acquisition. [2] This was one of six mosaics shipped by Zacos and Hecht to Boston in 1968 and sold to Michael Filides. In 1969, Filides transferred ownership of two mosaics (MFA accession nos. 1970.323-324) to the Classical Department of the Museum. They were accessioned the following year.
NOTES: [1] According to curator Cornelius Vermeule at the time of acquisition. [2] This was one of six mosaics shipped by Zacos and Hecht to Boston in 1968 and sold to Michael Filides. In 1969, Filides transferred ownership of two mosaics (MFA accession nos. 1970.323-324) to the Classical Department of the Museum. They were accessioned the following year.