Blanchard-Lemée, Michèle, et al. Mosaics of Roman Africa: Floor Mosaics from Tunisia. British Museum Press, 1996.
Mosaics of Roman Africa: Floor Mosaics from Tunisia is a comprehensive study of the intricate mosaic art that thrived in Roman Tunisia between the 2nd and 6th centuries AD. Authored by Michèle Blanchard-Lemée and a team of experts, the book features over 300 color illustrations, capturing the stunning beauty and complexity of these floor mosaics. Crafted from marble and limestone, these mosaics adorned the grand villas of Roman elites, showcasing mythological scenes, depictions of everyday life, and geometric patterns that reflect the opulence and culture of Roman Africa.
The book delves into the thematic content of these mosaics, focusing on pagan deities, mythological spectacles, and motifs of time, both eternal and cyclical. Despite the rise of Christianity in the region, the mosaics remain deeply rooted in Greco-Roman traditions, with subjects such as the asarotos oikos (unswept floor) motif, which creates a trompe l’oeil effect of food scraps scattered across the floor. One notable example is from the House of Salonin at Oudna, where this technique is vividly portrayed. These mosaics offer a unique visual insight into the social and cultural dynamics of the Roman-African elite.
In addition to the rich artistic content, the book also explores the social significance of these mosaics, emphasizing their role as symbols of wealth and power. Through detailed commentary and historical context, Mosaics of Roman Africa reveals how these artworks reflect the complex ethnic and social hierarchies of Roman North Africa. This volume is an essential reference for art historians, archaeologists, and scholars of Roman civilization, offering both a visual and scholarly analysis of these remarkable works.
This is an large coffee table book with many beautiful color photos. It's 13"tall x 11¾"wide x 1¼"thick. The book is in very good condition with the original dust jacket, which has a small tear in one of the binding corners of the dust jacket. ISBN: 9780714122151 / 0714122157.
I'm asking $150.
This is the text from the dust jacket flap:
