This important Roman Empire pavement forming this table’s top would have lined the walkways of only the most important buildings. Using a rare and ancient form of pietre dure known opus sectile, each hardstone would have been precisely measured and inlaid by artisans to create the resulting geometric pattern. Highly expensive and labor intensive, monumental opus sectile pavements such as this were reserved for the grand entrances of only the most significant public buildings, like the Curia of the Roman Senate, the Arch of Septimius Severus or the foyer of a highly important temple. The floor rests on 19th-century carved marble statues inspired by the Trapezophoros statues now housed in the Vatican Museum, forming the perfect indoor or outdoor table. #antique #pietredure #romanempire #artifacts #romantable #arthistory #romanhistory #fineartgallery