{Orpheus and Dionysus in Britain}[19th February 1991]

[Redbook8:266-267][19910219:1155c]{Orpheus and Dionysus in Britain}[19th February 1991]

19910219.1155

[continued]

‘An especially notable floor depicting Orpheus and the beasts was laid at the palatial residence at Woodchester – did it belong to the governor of Britannia Prima? Orpheus occupies a central roundel which is encircled by an inner register of birds and an outer one of quadrupeds. A similar but simpler mosaic was laid in the villa at Barton Farm, just outside the walls of Cirencester (Corinium Museum). Mosaics from Chedworth, Gloucestershire, and Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, portrayed Dionysos.* The latter, known only from an engraving, showed the god with his panther in a circular medallion surrounded by a rich border (incorporating a running scroll which appears to issue from the head of Neptune). The Chedworth mosaic can be presumed to have been the centrepiece of a floor, which retains part of its octagonal, segmented surround containing vigorous portrayals of nymphs and satyrs.’

**

*{(sic)

(as G[ree]k?)}

**– ibid [Encylopaedia of Visual Art 2]: 208

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