Bulgari funds restoration of Caracalla mosaics in Rome

The first phase of restoring the polychrome mosaic in the western gymnasium of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome has been completed. The mosaic pavement, made of precious polychrome marbles with a refined geometric fan motif, had been covered with fabric and soil for over 40 years to protect it from degradation. The restoration, led by Marina Piranomonte and Anna Borzomati, began in late 2015 and involved cleaning, consolidation, and reintegration using original recovered tesserae. The project was funded by Bulgari, part of the LVMH group, at a cost of €50,000, under Italy's Art Bonus scheme. Bulgari CEO Jean Christophe Babin and Superintendent Francesco Prosperetti announced the completion. Babin expressed hope that new mayor Virginia Raggi would continue the private-sector engagement championed by predecessor Ignazio Marino. Previous similar initiatives include Fendi's restoration of the Trevi Fountain and Della Valle's support for the Colosseum.