Italian, Rome, partly classical 2nd century AD, restored circa 1823

Part of a larger but damaged mosaic pavement discovered in 1823 in a vineyard on Monte Rosario near the Porta Portuensis in Rome. Purchased jointly by the 8th Lord  Kinnaird (1780-1826) and Lord William Russell (1790-1846) son of the 6th Duke of Bedford and father of the 9th Duke.
Rossie Priory, the Kinnaird seat in Perthshire

On loan to the National Gallery of Edinburgh 1989-2009

A. Michaelis, Ancient Marbles in Great Britain, Cambridge, 1882, p.656 no.136
A. H. Smith, A Catalogue of Sculpture at Woburn Abbey, 1900, p.93, no.211
E. Angelicoussus, "The Woburn Abbey Collection of Classical Antiquities", Monumenta Artis Romanae, XX, 1992, pp.110-111

Lot 89: Summary of the restorations based on the entry on the Woburn Abbey floor in E. Angelicoussis, The Woburn Abbey Collection of Classical Antiquities, Mainz am Rhein, 1992, pp.110-112 and a visual comparison with the Valadier watercolour of the pavement as it is thought to have appeared circa 1823. Fish on a plate and a cock with legs trussed Angelicoussis makes no comments about restorations. However, the Valadier watercolour does not appear to include the cock with legs trussed. As far as is possible to determine in comparing the still life mosaics with the Valadier drawing it would appear that they have been subject to some changes in details during the Giuseppe Baseggio restoration when they were probably reworked to conform to the original design and should be considered 19th century Each mosaic is set into a plaster and composite slab. Each received extensive and well-done restoration in the 19th century and later. Each panel comes with separate metal wall mounting brackets. Overall the condition the mosaic is now good and stable. There are several areas of restoration including the lower left and top right corners of the fish.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Whilst on the Grand Tour to Italy in 1823,  Lord Kinnaird and Lord William Russell visited the site outside Rome where a mosaic pavement dating from the Hadrianic period (117-138 A.D.) had been discovered. A watercolour by M. Valadier, recording the original appearance upon excavation, is illustrated by Angelicoussus. The central rectangle of the pavement had been destroyed by the roots of a tree, but clearly visible in the watercolour are three heads of Tritons, each placed at a corner, running animals amidst floral and foliate tendrils and, on a further border, squares enclosing still-lives.  Both the Kinnaird and Woburn Abbey archives record that restorations were undertaken in Rome by Giuseppe Baseggio under the direct supervision of Lord Kinnaird between 1823 and 1826.  Angelicoussus proposed that the probable restorations, based on comparisons with the drawing, are to the lioness with the lizard above, the running stag and two of the still-lives- "the platter and the filled bowl". The 9th Baron Kinnaird, records in his "Notes and Reminiscences" how his father "had great difficulty in getting It [the pavement] out of Rome and had to gain permission from the Curator of the Vatican Museum and on the express stipulation that it was to be shipped off direct from Civita Vecchia without anyone seeing it."

The elements from the pavement which were purchased by Lord William Russell include one head of a Triton and two still-lives with geometric patterns. These sections together with modern replacements were incorporated into a mosaic floor under the central dome of the Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey.