Nymphaeum, Imperial Galleys (fragments found), recovered from Lake Nemi

Name of structure: Nymphaeum, Imperial Galleys (fragments found), recovered from Lake Nemi
Extended name of structure:
Type of structure: Nymphaeum
Country or main area: italy
Region within country or main area: Lazio
City or area within region: Lake Nemi, 30k south of Rome
Date of structure: First century AD
Century of structure 1: 1 AD
Century of structure 2:
Specific place of mosaic: Seven fragments of wall mosaic, throught to have decorated a nymphaeum on board, were found on the first ship when it was lifted.
Brief descriptive contents of mosaic:

 Fragments exclusively glass tesserae with no twisted glass rods or Egyptian blue.



  1. Curved fragment.

  2. Fragment with row of small yellow flowers enclosed in white heart-shaped loops on green ground.

  3. Panel with deep blue ground, enclosed by hellow, blue-green and white border. Outside this runs a white and blue-green running dog on yellow ground.

  4. Fragment with meander in dark blue with yellow running dog.

  5. Flower design in red and yellow framed in white kidney-shaped loops.

  6. Panel with green ground enclosed by border of yellow ‘S’ scrolls in dark green.

  7. Figured panel with interlocking palmettes framed in yellow and white heart-shaped loops on blue ground. Remains of the bottom half of a figure (legs, feet and part of cloak, possibly Dionysos or satyr) on dark blue ground. Red painted border.
Date of mosaic: First century AD
Century of mosaic 1: 1 AD
Century of mosaic 2:
Silver tessera at site: No
Gold tessera at site: No
Colour tessera at site: Yes
Were other materials found at site (i.e., glass cakes)?
Has analysis been done?
Samples taken from where?
Excavation and restoration campaigns:
Bibliography of mainly technical resources:

Sear, Frank B., Roman Wall and Vault Mosaics (Heidelberg: F. H. Kerle Verlag, 1977), pp. 72-73
See also:
Ucelli, G., Le Navi di Nemi (1950), 225-31, figs 250, 254, 257
URLs:
Comments:

In 1929-32 the lake was drained and the two ships were excavated by Guido Ucelli.  In 1944 they were destroyed by fire.  Surviving parts (bronze fittings) are now on display to Museo Nazionale al Palazzo Massimo, Rome.

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