Lion Chasing a Bull Mosaic from Syria in the Getty Villa, June 2016

Mosaic of a Lion Chasing a Bull

Object Details

Title: Mosaic of a Lion Chasing a Bull

Artist/Maker: Unknown

Culture: Roman

Place: Syria (Place Created)

Date: 5th–6th century

Medium: Mosaic


Object Number: 75.AH.115

Dimensions: 81.3 × 149.9 × 6.4 cm (32 × 59 × 2 1/2 in.)

Alternate Title: Lion Chasing a Bull (Display Title)

Department: Antiquities

Classification: Architecture

Object Type: Mosaic


Fragment of a mosaic depicting a lion chasing a bull, running to the right. Only the head and a front paw of the lion are preserved. The lion is biting the hind-quarters of the bull, which bleeds into the lions mouth. To the right of the bull is vertical line, possibly the edge of a border or some other figural element. The mosaic is very well preserved.

Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/7284/unknown-maker-mosaic-of-a-lion-chasing-a-bull-roman-5th-6th-century