Roman. <em>Mosaic of Date Palm Tree</em>, 6th century C.E. Stone and mortar, With Frame: 1 3/8 x 34 5/8 x 74 3/16 in. (3.5 x 87.9 x 188.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 05.14. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.14_overall_PS11.jpg)

Roman. Mosaic of Date Palm Tree, 6th century C.E. Stone and mortar, With Frame: 1 3/8 x 34 5/8 x 74 3/16 in. (3.5 x 87.9 x 188.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 05.14. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.14_overall_PS11.jpg)

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I like the texture of this.

It does indeed have a very interesting texture. It's a mosaic made all in stone. This decorative panel used to decorate an ancient synagogue.

This is beautiful! I love the tile work.

You may have found and read the label already, but this tree (and its unlocated companion panel), are part of the decorative mosaics from an ancient synagogue, that probably represented the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life, from the Garden of Eden and described in the biblical Book of Genesis. And that the piece has survived so well in tact from circa 500 is amazing!

I love Palm and Palmetto trees. I am from SC and that is our state symbol!

I can see how that would look like a palmetto! It is actually an ancient date palm. You probably read this on the label, but the curators have written that "This tree and its unlocated companion panel, part of the decorative mosaics from an ancient synagogue, probably represented the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life, from the Garden of Eden and described in the biblical Book of Genesis. For the Jewish congregation of Hammam Lif it also evoked the city of Jerusalem, a place often represented in art by the date palm, perhaps because dates were a major export crop of the region."

I see that you are in Connecting Cultures. This innovative, cross-cultural installation was developed to create new ways of looking at art by making connections between cultures as well as objects.

Which objects does the one above relate to?

This tree and its unlocated companion panel, part of the decorative mosaics from an ancient synagogue, probably represented the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life, from the Garden of Eden and described in the biblical Book of Genesis. It is surrounded by other religious and spiritual objects: Buddhas, Yoruba masks, Kachina Dolls, etc., from around the world. See what connections you can draw between those objects!

Is this 6th century mosaic completely original?

This is one of several mosaics that were excavated in the 19th century from the synagogue of Hammam Lif and they were all found in relatively good condition. According to our records, some restoration was done around the edges, especially the left. The work was probably done with original tesserae though.

Thats amazing, why isn't it more protected? I'd be paranoid about people touching it!

I'm glad you're so concerned with the artwork's well-being! To be honest, stone mosaics are pretty resilient. We do of course encourage visitors not to touch the art to help preserve it and there are guards in place to help with this encouragement.

Cheers, thanks for the info!

Mosaic of Date Palm Tree

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

This tree and its unlocated companion panel, part of the decorative mosaics from an ancient synagogue, probably represented the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life, from the Garden of Eden and described in the biblical Book of Genesis. For the Jewish congregation of Hammam Lif it also evoked the city of Jerusalem, a place often represented in art by the date palm, perhaps because dates were a major export crop of the region.

CULTURE Roman

MEDIUM Stone and mortar

Place Found: Hammam Lif, Tunisia

DATES 6th century C.E.

PERIOD Roman Period

DIMENSIONS With Frame: 1 3/8 x 34 5/8 x 74 3/16 in. (3.5 x 87.9 x 188.4 cm) Without Frame: 1 3/8 x 31 x 70 9/16 in. (3.5 x 78.8 x 179.2 cm) Other: 248 lb. (112.5kg) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 05.14

CREDIT LINE Museum Collection Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Upright oblong mosaic panel. Large date palm tree fills main portion of panel. At base of tree, two shrubs and major portion of large bird.

EXHIBITIONS

Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Roman. Mosaic of Date Palm Tree, 6th century C.E. Stone and mortar, With Frame: 1 3/8 x 34 5/8 x 74 3/16 in. (3.5 x 87.9 x 188.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 05.14. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.14_overall_PS11.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 05.14_overall_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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