Byzantine Mosaic Panel of Hermes

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 5th Century AD to 6th Century ADDimensions: 69" Height x 39" Width (175 cm. x 99 cm)Medium: Marble This brilliant and large mosaic panel is composed of multicoloured tesserae on a cream ground, depicting the seated god Hermes.  Dynamically rendered, he wears his winged cap, a toga with red clavi and a red chlamys fastened at each shoulder by a disc brooch.  He holds his caduceus in the crook of his left arm, while holding out his right and pointing with a crooked finger.  A wooded hill can be seen behind, with remains of a border around the top and right edge. The scene overall is rendered in natural earthy tones and an inscription in Greek above his head reads 'Hermes.'