Italy (Herculaneum, Roman Imperial)

Mosaic of Neptune and Salacia (House of the Neptune Mosaic, Herculaneum)

2245

Roman Imperial Period (1st Century CE), c. 50–79 CE

A brilliantly preserved Roman Imperial wall mosaic (c. 50–79 CE) from the nymphaeum of the House of the Neptune Mosaic at Herculaneum — the divine couple Neptune and Salacia enthroned within a classical aedicule against a golden ground, surrounded by a radiant multi-colored scallop shell vault, flanking botanical scroll panels, and a crowning fish-scale and seashell frieze; executed in opus musivum with glass tesserae and real seashells.