The story of the mosaics in Avenches is rather sad. Many mosaics were found in the distant past and sometimes accurate copies were made on paper. However, proper protection and lifting were not on the agenda. As a result many of these mosaics are (almost) completely lost. A long list was published by Victorine von Gonzenbach in 1961.
In 1676 a mosaic was discovered in a building in the north-west part of the city, at the locality Conche-Dessus, and destroyed soon afterwards. Fortunately a drawing had been made. It was a round mosaic with the consular date August 1, 209 AD in the centre: POMPEIANO ET AVITO CONSVLIBVS KAL(endis) AVG(ustis). Around the inscription were seven segments with birds that may well represent the seven days of the week and planets.
Drawing of the mosaic found in 1676. EDCS-10800523; Kolb et al. 2022, nr. 230. Nelis-Clement - Hochuli-Gysel 2001, fig. 1.
In 1735 a mosaic was found in the north-west part of the city, at the locality La Maladeyre. It was a polychrome mosaic measuring 4 x 5 m. In the centre was a depiction of Bellerophon on the winged horse Pegasus. In the surrounding panels were personifications of the four winds, and animals. In 1786 Lord Spencer Compton wanted to bring the mosaic to a new local museum designed by him. The plan was rejected, the mosaic is gone.
The mosaic of Bellerophon on a drawing from 1735. Herzig - Hochuli-Gysel 1998, Abb. 4.In the Derrière la Tour area a very large mosaic was unearthed in 1704 or 1708 and 1751. Only a few fragments survive. It was a polychrome mosaic measuring 17.81 x 11.73 m., which makes it the largest Roman mosaic ever found in Switzerland. In the centre of the mosaic were an octagonal masonry basin surrounded by dolphins, and a rectangular panel with Bacchus-Dionysus discovering the sleeping Ariadne on the island of Naxos. In five octagonal panels were Satyrs and Maenads.
Click on the image to enlarge. The mosaic of Bacchus-Dionysus and Ariadne on a drawing from 1752. Herzig - Hochuli-Gysel 1998, Abb. 4.The list continues with a mosaic that must have had a head of Oceanus, a mosaic with animals representing the signs of the Zodiac in a circle supported by Atlantes, a mosaic with personifications of the winds, a mosaic with meanders, a female head, and animals, and two mosaics with depictions of Orpheus. In the museum fragments of mosaics can be seen, including a goose standing on a vessel, Hercules wrestling with Antaeus surrounded by personifications of the four seasons, and a theatrical mask.
Left: Hercules wrestling with Antaeus. Right, top: theatrical mask. Right, bottom: lion. Photos: Musée romain d'Avenches.
[1-May-2024]
