Go to the photographs Go to the text Go to the fuller text Go to the QR CODE
PHOTOGRAPHS
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
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.
