Ducks, Dolphins, and Portrait Medallions: Framing the Achilles Mosaic at Pedrosa de la Vega (Palencia)

Authors

  • Bente Killerich

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5617/acta.5677

Abstract

The frame is often perceived as parergonal or secondary compared with the image it enframes. However, in the large fourth century Achilles on Skyros mosaic at Pedrosa de la Vega, in Northern Spain, the border framing the emblema has a unique design: portrait medallions are suspended from the spread wings of antithetical duck-dolphins, which flank a golden amphora, hanging from a ribbon held in their beaks. The article discusses the meaning of the frame with particular attention to the portrait medallions and traces the decorative scheme back to early imperial Rome.

How to Cite

Killerich, B. (2020) “Ducks, Dolphins, and Portrait Medallions: Framing the Achilles Mosaic at Pedrosa de la Vega (Palencia)”, Acta ad archaeologiam et artium historiam pertinentia, 15(1 N.S.), pp. 245–267. doi: 10.5617/acta.5677.

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 N.S. (2001): Imperial art as Christian art - Christian art as Imperial art (TOC and abstracts)

Section

Articles

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