The Brantingham Tyche Mosaic
The so-called 'Tyche Mosaic' was discovered in 1961at the site of a large villa near Brantingham, about 3km northwest of Brough in East Yorkshire. It measures 11 x 7.8m and dates to the middle of the 4th century, about 330-335 AD. The mosaic features a distinctive figure at the centre wearing a crown and surrounded by a nimbus or halo. Some experts believe this figure is a 'Tyche' (pronounced tie-key), a personification of a province or tribe, and this has given the mosaic its name. #SUBHEADING#Tyche or Muse?#SUBHEADINGEND# There are actually two theories about who the figure is. Supporters of the 'Tyche' identification see the crown in the form of a city wall with towers - a feature seen in other representations of the deity. Some have speculated that it could be the Tyche of the Parisi, the local tribe of the area. A Tyche is usually seen with a cornucopia, or horn of plenty, but unfortunately this clinching piece of evidence would be on the left shoulder - the very part of the centre piece that has been lost! An alternative theory is that the central bust represents one of the Nine Muses, the other eight being arranged in two rows of four at the top and bottom of the mosaic. If this is the case then the crown would actually be a feathered head-dress as worn by the muses after their legendary singing contest with the Sirens. What do you think? #SUBHEADING#Water-nymphs#SUBHEADINGEND# Around the central bust are semicircular compartments, each containing a reclining water-nymph, holding a reed in her right hand and resting her elbow on an overturned vase - the symbol of spring. The spaces between the nymphs contain large canthari (wine-cups) or craters (vessels for mixing water and wine). #SUBHEADING#The Eight Ladies#SUBHEADINGEND# Oblong friezes above and below the central panel each contained four female busts with a top-knot and a nimbus or halo. They are shown within a round-headed panel making the panel look rather like a row of niches in a wall. The busts are similar to the central bust but lack a crown. Unfortunately only three of the original eight have survived but all are slightly different. #SUBHEADING#Painting in Stone#SUBHEADINGEND# Interestingly it seems that the design for the Tyche Mosaic was actually intended for painted ceilings or walls. The form of the central panel would have fitted perfectly into a dome, while the architectural niches with busts in the top and bottom panels would suit a wall. Painted wall plaster that had fallen onto the mosaic includes a nimbed bust in a roundel and shows that the design was carried upwards onto the walls of the room. The whole effect must have been a vast array of faces!
The Brantingham Tyche Mosaic
The so-called 'Tyche Mosaic' was discovered in 1961at the site of a large villa near Brantingham, about 3km northwest of Brough in East Yorkshire.The mosaic features a distinctive figure at the centre wearing a crown and surrounded by a nimbus or halo. Some experts believe this figure is a 'Tyche' (pronounced tie-key), a personification of a province or tribe, and this has given the mosaic its name.
The Leopards Panel
The so-called 'Leopards Panel' was found in 1971 at the 4th century Roman villa at Rudston, East Yorkshire. It formed the floor of a threshold into the room of the Charioteer Mosaic and may have been placed under an archway. Like its neighbour it dates to between about 325 and 350 AD.
The Horkstow Mosaic
The Horkstow Mosaic is one of the largest and most interesting mosaics ever found in Britain. It was uncovered in 1797 by labourers making a kitchen garden at Horkstow Hall in Lincolnshire and would have graced a large hall at a very wealthy and sophisticated 4th century Roman villa.
The Rudston Aquatic Mosaic
The Aquatic Mosaic paved the 'apodytherium' or changing room of the bath-house at the Roman villa near Rudston, East Yorkshire. It was discovered in 1933 together with the Venus Mosaic and the Swastika Mosaic.
The Rudston Charioteer Mosaic
The Charioteer Mosaic is one of the most striking and unusual mosaics to have been found so far in Roman Britain. Named after the central figure standing on a 'quadriga' or four-horse chariot, it paved a large room at a 4th century AD villa near Rudston, East Yorkshire. It is thought to have been laid between about 325 and 350 AD.
The Rudston Swastika Mosaic
This remarkably complete mosaic is known as the Swastika or Geometric Mosaic and was found in 1933 at the Roman villa near Rudston, East Yorkshire. It came from the central room of the same house as the Venus and Aquatic Mosaics which are also displayed at the Hull and East Riding Museum. The mosaic measures 2.75m square and dates to the later 3rd century AD, the same date as the Venus Mosaic.
The Rudston Venus mosaic
The Venus Mosaic came from the largest room in the first house built at a Roman villa near Rudston, East Yorkshire. The intact mosaic with its oblong side-panels would have measured 4.67m x 3.2m. It dates to the later 3rd century AD.
The Story of the Horkstow Mosaic
This famous mosaic was found in 1797 by labourers preparing a kitchen garden at Horkstow Hall, Lincolnshire. Unfortunately they destroyed large areas of it before realising the importance of what they had unearthed - a mosaic floor belonging to great hall of a large and wealthy villa.
The Story of the Rudston Mosaics
The Roman villa near Rudston, East Yorkshire, first came to light in 1838 when walls, roofing tiles, wall plaster and the remains of a mosaic floor were found by farm workers. Unfortunately most of the pavement was destroyed by the same workers - they dug it up in the hope of finding treasure!
Everything you always wanted to know about mosaics
Everything you always wanted to know about mosaics and had no one to ask. Read this narrative to find out more about mosaics, how they were made, what they were made of, how they chose their designs and who made them.
Rock and Roll! - Or How to Lift a Mosaic
Rock and Roll! - Or How to Lift a Mosaic. This narrative will show you how mosaics are lifted out of the ground so they can be displayed in museums for all to see.
The Brantingham Geometric Mosaics
The Roman villa at Brantingham, 3km northwest of Brough in East Yorkshire, was first discovered in 1941 when two geometric mosaics were found in a stone quarry known as the 'Cockle Pits'. They were recorded and then reburied. What followed is one of the biggest mysteries in Yorkshire archaeology.
