Scenes from Tree of Paradise - Jewish Roman Mosaics from Tunisia

05.25 Mosaic of Round Basket with Bread, by an unknown Roman Artist found in Tunis, Tunisia, from the 3rd century-5th century A.D.
Mosaic
27 9/16 x 23 1/4in. (70 x 59cm).
From the Museum Collection Fund, Brooklyn Museum.
The round basket of bread is not part of pagan symbolism, but is described in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8 as among the objects needed for the consecration of a priest. Similar baskets of bread appear in Christian churches in Roman North Africa. The Brooklyn Museum suggests the basket of bread may symbolize hope for the resurrection of the Temple in Jerusalem.