There was a style of mosaic in ancient Rome that mimicked trash-strewn floors
The Romans were a great people, and fortunately, several records of their art and culture survived. An example of how skilled Roman artisans were are the detailed mosaics that remain in the few Roman buildings that still stand today. The Romans were big fans of intricate floors such as these.
This little mouse is part of a bigger mural that followed a common motif called “the unswept floor.” This type of mosaic included depictions of food remains such as bones, olive pits, and fruit rinds strewn about the floor as if they had gone “unswept” after a feast.