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TEXT

Slabs

Second Half of 11th  Century

Limestone, Red Stone, Glass Paste Tesserae

Location: Museum of Montecassino Abbey, Room of Desiderius, right wing

Provenance: Montecassino, Abbey Church of Desiderius (1066-1071), Presbytery

 

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Fragments with Dogs (Greyhounds)

These two fragments are surviving portions of Desiderius’ pavement recovered after World War II.

They represent hunting dogs (greyhounds) and act as guardians of a holy place. We do not know the exact, original location of the two panels. They may have been located at each side of the abbey church’s altar to guard the remains of Saint Benedict which were located under the altar.

The tesserae are made of natural materials (white palombino and rosso antico), except for some portions made with glass paste tesserae, possibly due to subsequent restoration.

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