Pompeii.
Household shrines to the domestic gods,
VII.12.3 to VII.16.22
For some of these the actual purpose is
unknown.
The individual locations identified on each
item may contain further photos and details, you can see these by looking at
the pompeiiinpictures pages in question.
Back to household shrines list
Region VII.
VII.12.3 Pompeii.
Base which may have supported an aedicula lararium, on west wall of atrium. (No. photo).
VII.12.3 Pompeii.
May 2006. Rooms on west side of atrium.
According to
Eschebach, on the right side of the atrium were steps to the upper floor, these
are on the right of the photo above.
On the left of the
photo, there was a windowed triclinium with a wide opening onto the north
portico of the garden.
Also, on the right
of the atrium was a lararium.
See Eschebach, L., 1993. Gebäudeverzeichnis und Stadtplan der antiken
Stadt Pompeji. Köln: Böhlau.
(p.326)
According to Boyce,
on the west side of the atrium Fiorelli reported a larario; but now
there only remains a ruined brick base.
This may have
supported an aedicula. The brick base may be seen on the left of the above
photo.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.70,
no.312).
VII.12.7 Pompeii.
Large lararium painting on south wall of room in bakery. (No photo).
VII.12.7 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking south towards entrance doorway to shop and bakery. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.7 Pompeii. September 2005. Looking east towards oven in south-east corner of rear area.
According to Boyce, on the south wall of the room with the oven was a large lararium painting (2.0 square).
In the centre was a blazing tripod, with the Genius to the right of it.
On each side was a wreathed Lar.
To the left of this group stood Vesta, at her side was an ass with a bell around its neck.
On the right of the group stood Mercury.
In the lower zone, marked off from the upper by a brownish stripe, were the two serpents.
They were approaching a gold-coloured altar, on top of which was a white shallow dish containing a blazing fire.
In the fire was an egg and several fruits – a date, a pomegranate and a medlar.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.70, no.313).
See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel. (68)
According to BdI, this was the first time that Mercury appeared associated with the Lares, in Pompeii.
See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza
Archeologica (DAIR), 1864, p.114-115 (described as Casa II.)
VII.12.7 Pompeii. 1966. Looking east towards oven in south-east corner, with south wall, on right. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.
Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.
J66f0642
VII.12.10 Pompeii.
Large lararium painting on west wall above hearth in kitchen.
VII.12.10 Pompeii. September 2005. Looking south towards rear room of shop, on left.
On the west wall of the rear room remains of IV style painting could be seen, including a red zoccolo and white middle area of the wall.
On the right, were the stairs to upper floor and corridor to rear yard.
According to Boyce, in the south-west corner of the rear area was a lararium panting (h.1.32, w.1.70).
The lararium painting could be seen on the west wall of the kitchen above the hearth.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.70, no.314)
VII.12.10 Pompeii. 1865 drawing by Gargiulo of lararium painting found April 1863 on the west wall of the kitchen above the hearth.
The note on the drawing says:
Al di sotto:
ara col serpe maschio; a s. dell'ara oggetti di cucina poco determinati, fra i
quali si riconoscono un prosciutto ed un uccello.
Below: altar with male snake; to the side of the altar not very determined kitchen objects, among which we recognize a ham and a bird.
DAIR 83.148. Photo
© Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.
According to Fröhlich, this drawing showed the upper zone.
According to Boyce, it depicted the usual sacrificial scene of the Genius assisted by the tibicen, popa and camillus.
The entire left side of the panel was missing.
Of the popa only one foot remained.
On each side of the central group was a Lar, of whom only the one on the right remained.
The Lar and the Genius were of the same stature.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.70, no.314)
In the lower zone was a single male serpent beside an altar.
On the other side of the same altar various objects associated with the kitchen were shown.
Amongst them an eel, two hams and a bird could be distinguished.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.289, L.90, Taf. 44,2)
According to BdI, 1864, the painting visible in the kitchen was found in April of the last year, and was described by Reifferscheid in AdI, 1863, p.123 item T.
There was nothing to add other than the material that covered the chest of the Lares was blue, red that wrapped around the legs, falling to green, and white cloak.
The left part of the painting was fallen and lost. The height of the painting was around I.32m.
See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza
Archeologica (DAIR), 1864, p.115 (described as Casa III).
VII.12.10 Pompeii. June 2005. West side of rear area/yard, masonry bench and dolium. Photo courtesy of Nicolas Monteix.
VII.12.11 Pompeii.
Arched niche in east wall of workshop-room.
VII.12.11 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking south to entrance doorway on Via degli Augustali. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.11 Pompeii.
September 2005. Niche on east wall.
According to Boyce,
in the east wall of the workshop was an arched niche (h.0.33, w.0.35, d.0.22,
h. above floor 1.55).
Its inside walls
were coated with red stucco.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.70, no.315).
VII.12.11 Pompeii. July
2008. Niche on east wall. Photo courtesy of Jared Benton.
Lararium painting on west wall of room with oven.
VII.12.11 Pompeii. September 2009. Looking south towards oven in rear room. Photo courtesy of Jared Benton.
VII.12.11 Pompeii. December 2004. Lararium painting.
According to Boyce, on the west wall was a lararium painting (h.2.0, w.2.10) on a white background.
Upon a throne sat Vesta, on each side of the goddess stood a wreathed Lar, much smaller than Vesta.
Behind and to the right of her throne, the forepart of an ass was visible.
In the lower zone were two serpents approaching a cylindrical altar painted in imitation yellow marble and finished with fire and fruit.
Each serpent had a red crest and beard, but those on the right serpent were larger.
At the sides of both the upper and lower panels were green trees and above the top of the upper panel were two garlands.
The entire painting was bordered with broad red stripes at top and sides.
Boyce thought this one of the most finely executed of all lararium pictures.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.70, no.316, and Pl. 24,1)
See Fröhlich, T.,
1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.289, L91. Taf, 1.)
See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza
Archeologica (DAIR), 1864, p.115-116 (described as Casa IV.)
VII.12.11 Pompeii, but shown on photo as from VII.2.11. Pre-1937-39. Painted lararium on west wall.
Photo courtesy of American Academy in Rome, Photographic Archive. Warsher collection no. 952.
VII.12.11 Pompeii. Lararium on old undated photograph.
Courtesy of Society of Antiquaries. Fox Collection.
VII.12.11 Pompeii. 19th May 1880 or 1886? Lararium painting on west side of oven in bakery.
DAIR 83.149. Photo
© Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom, Arkiv.
VII.12.12 Pompeii.
Arched niche in west wall.
VII.12.12 Pompeii. December 2018.
Looking south-west from Via degli Augustali towards entrance
doorway. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.12 Pompeii. December 2018.
Looking towards west wall with arched niche. On the left is
the corridor leading to the rear yard,
with kitchen and latrine.
Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.12 Pompeii. December 2018. Arched niche in west wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
According to Boyce –
above the counter on
which the articles for sale were displayed, was an arched niche (h.0.52,
w.0.60, d.0.25, h. above floor 1.48).
Fiorelli described this as “la nicchia de’ Penati”.
Fiorelli, Scavi, 19; Descrizione, 283.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.70,
no.317).
VII.12.13 Pompeii.
Lararium painting and niches on east wall.
VII.12.13 Pompeii. September 2005. Niches over hearth on east wall.
VII.12.13 Pompeii. September 2005. Oven in south-east corner.
According to Fiorelli, also found was a cupboard for the bread, and an enclosure that seemed to have been used as a stable.
See Pappalardo, U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli: Massa Editore. (p.111)
According to Garcia y Garcia, on display in the antiquarium prior to the 1943 bombing was the skeleton of a rabbit which had been found near the oven in VII.12.13.
See Garcia y
Garcia, L., 2006. Danni di
guerra a Pompei. Rome:
L’Erma di Bretschneider. (p.195)
VII.12.13 Pompeii. December 2004. Lararium niche on east wall in front of oven in south-east corner.
Two mills can be seen in the bakery area to the right of the oven.
VII.12.13 Pompeii. September 2005. Niche on east wall near oven.
According to Boyce -
on the wall of the room with the oven, near the hearth, was a lararium painting (h. fills the entire wall, west of fragment preserved 1.50).
Into the panel, near the top, was set a rectangular niche (h.0.40, w.0.45, d.0.20, h. above floor 2.10) with projecting floor.
The inside walls were coated with white stucco decorated with spots of many colours.
On the wall on each side of it were the traces of the figure of a Lar.
Below the niche a pediment was formed by bricks embedded in the wall.
Within the pediment were painted a cock and a peacock, one above the other.
On the wall below the pediment were painted two serpents confronted at an altar.
At the side of the altar stood Vesta, wearing a wreath of flowers, yellow tunic and reddish mantle and holding a sceptre.
At her side stood an ass, its head appearing above the altar.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71, no.318)
VII.12.13 Pompeii. September 2005. Detail of lararium niche on east wall near oven.
According to BdI, a lararium painting was discovered in this bakery during the last year.
The picture was described by Sig. Reifferscheid in AdI 1863, p.126, item d(elta).
See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza
Archeologica (DAIR), 1864, p.116 (described as Casa V).
According to Fiorelli, at the rear of the corridor was an area discovered with oven and hearth, where besides the altar and serpents (of the lararium painting), a few traces remained of the Lares to the sides of a niche.
See Pappalardo,
U., 2001. La Descrizione di Pompei per Giuseppe Fiorelli (1875). Napoli:
Massa Editore. (p.111)
VII.12.14 Pompeii.
Rectangular niche in east wall.
VII.12.14 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking towards east wall with niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
According to Boyce,
in the east wall of the shop-room was a rectangular niche (h.0.31, w.0.51,
d.0.24, h. above floor 1.53).
Its inside walls
were coated with orange-coloured stucco.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71, no.319).
VII.12.14 Pompeii. December 2018. East wall with niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.14 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche set into
east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.15/16 Pompeii.
Arched niche in west wall.
VII.12.15 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking south-west to entrance on Vicolo del Lupanare. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.15 Pompeii. December 2018.
Looking south from entrance doorway towards counter with hearth, and niche in west wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.15 Pompeii. December 2018. Niche in west wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.12.15 Pompeii.
September 2005. Niche.
According to Boyce –
in the west wall of
the bar-room was an arched niche (h.0.38, w.0.69, d.0.20, h. above floor 1.25)
with projecting floor.
Below the niche was
a stucco cornice.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71, no.320)
VII.12.15 Pompeii.
May 2003.
Looking towards west
wall, with niche. At the end of the counter, the hearth can be seen. Photo
courtesy of Nicolas Monteix.
VII.12.26 Pompeii.
Lararium painting on west wall of garden area.
VII.12.26 Pompeii.
December 2005. West wall of garden area, north portico and doorway to
triclinium.
According to Boyce –
there was a lararium
painting (h.2.13, w.2.18), on the west end of the north portico done on a white
background.
The Genius stood in
the centre, pouring a libation from a patera upon an altar;
on each side of him
is a Lar in variegated tunic and red pallium and holding rhyton and patera.
Below them, two
serpents were approaching an altar.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14.
(p.71, No.321).
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.194, no.80).
VII.12.28 Pompeii.
Ruined lararium painting. Niche, west wall of room h. (No photo).
VII.12.28 Pompeii.
December 2005. Entrance doorway.
According to Boyce,
in this house was found a ruined lararium painting done on a white background.
He said it was not
certain in which room the painting was seen.
Fiorelli placed it
in the atrium, the Ann. Inst. and Helbig placed it in the kitchen.
In the west wall of
the kitchen, a rectangular niche (h.0.50, w.0.45, d.0.25, h. above floor 1.50) can
be seen.
Perhaps the painting
was seen on the wall beside this niche?
Above the coils of a
single serpent (female, according to Helbig) stood a Lar in green tunic and
brown pallium holding rhyton and situla.
The corresponding
serpent and Lar on the other side had disappeared.
Helbig, 38; Ann.Inst., xxxv, 124, X; Fiorelli, Scavi,
105, No.17, Fiorelli, Descr., 291.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71, no.322)
According to
Giacobello –
The plastered arched
niche was found in room (h) on the west wall, the room having decoration in the
Fourth Style.
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano:
LED Edizioni, (p.292, no.C17)
VII.13.4 Pompeii.
Rectangular niche in west wall of peristyle. (No photo).
VII.13.4 Pompeii.
May 2010. North-west corner of peristyle with painted plaster, and rear
triclinium room of VII.13.21.
According to Boyce,
on the west wall of the peristyle was a rectangular niche (h.0.40, w.0.36,
d.0.20, h. above floor 1.60).
Originally this
appeared to have been fitted with an aedicula façade but now gone.
The interior walls
were coated with white stucco and had delicate decorations in relief.
These included a
cornice which ran around the top of the three walls.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome:
MAAR 14. (p.71 no.323)
VII.13.7 Pompeii.
Walled-up niche in east wall of shop room, and small arched niche in rear room above hearth.
VII.13.7 Pompeii.
December 2007. Walled up niche in east wall of shop.
VII.13.7 Pompeii. December 2018.
North-east corner of the dwelling, with lararium niche above hearth and masonry water basin in the corner. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.13.7 Pompeii.
1959.
North-east corner of
the dwelling, with lararium niche and masonry water basin in the corner. Photo
by Stanley A. Jashemski.
Source: The
Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland
Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative
Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.
J59f0380
VII.13.7 Pompeii. December 2018.
Detail of niche above hearth in north-east corner. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.13.7 Pompeii. December 2018. Niche set into east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.13.7 Pompeii.
December 2007. Niche on east wall of dwelling.
According to Boyce –
in the east wall of
the back room, above the hearth, was a small arched niche (h.0.33, w.0.30,
d.0.18, h. above hearth 0.20).
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71, no.324, with
Pl.2,5)
VII.13.7 Pompeii.
December 2007. Niche and hearth on east wall of dwelling.
VII.13.7 Pompeii.
1959. Niche and hearth on east wall of dwelling. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.
Source: The
Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland
Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative
Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.
J59f0381
VII.13.7 Pompeii, but shown as VII.13.8 on photo. Pre-1937-39.
Looking towards niche and hearth against east
wall.
Photo courtesy of American Academy in Rome,
Photographic Archive. Warsher collection no. 1908.
VII.14.2 Pompeii.
Fragmentary painting on kitchen wall, appears to belong to a lararium painted above it. (No photo).
VII.14.2 Pompeii. December 2007. Looking north through doorway to rear room with site of steps to upper floor, and a latrine.
According to Boyce –
a fragmentary painting on the wall of the kitchen appeared to have belonged to a lararium originally painted above it.
Three men (the heads were missing) are busied about a hog: one with staff in his right holds the animal by the ear;
a second drags on a cord tied about its snout. Below lay the carcass of a slaughtered animal, opened as if for divination from the entrails.
He gave the reference – Helbig 83.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71,
no.325).
VII.14.5 Pompeii.
Aedicula lararium in south-west corner of atrium.
VII.14.5 Pompeii. March 2009. Aedicula
lararium in south-west corner of atrium.
According to Boyce-
above a solid podium (1.20 by 1.10, h.1.02)
one column and two half columns applied to the south and west walls (h.1.10)
supported a roof.
This formed a kind of niche, the ceiling of
which was vaulted.
The inside walls were painted red like those
of the room.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the
Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14.
(p.71, no.326)
See Giacobello, F.,
2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico.
Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.245, no.A28)
VII.14.5/19 Pompeii.
Square niche on south wall of kitchen.
VII.14.5 Pompeii.
March 2009. Room 18, south wall of kitchen, with niche in alcove next to oven.
VII.14.5 Pompeii.
March 2009. Room 18, niche in south wall of kitchen.
According to Boyce –
in the large kitchen
entered from the posticum at VII.14.19, high up on the south wall, was a square
niche (0.36 square, d.0.32, h. above floor 2.20).
According to Fiorelli, this was “la piccola nicchia dei Penati”.
Boyce gave the
reference - Fiorelli, Descr., 302.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.71,
no.327)
VII.14.8 Pompeii.
Arched niche in north wall of shop.
VII.14.8 Pompeii.
December 2018. Looking north to entrance doorway. Photo courtesy of Aude
Durand.
VII.14.8 Pompeii. December 2018. Niche in north wall of shop. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
According to Boyce –
In the north wall of the shop is an arched niche (h.0.40, w.0.40, d.0.22, h. above floor 1.25).
This was called by Fiorelli “la nicchia dei Penati”.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.72, no.328).
VII.14.8 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche set into north wall of shop. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.15.3 Pompeii.
8 bronze statuettes and other valuables were found in the atrium but no shrine found in this house.
VII.15.3 Pompeii.
September 2005. Looking north across atrium.
A cubiculum is on
the left, in the middle there is a corridor to garden and triclinium.
On the right is
another cubiculum, and three stone steps leading to the steps to the upper
floor, outlined on east wall.
According to Boyce,
no shrine was found in this house although 8 bronze statuettes and other
valuables were found in the atrium.
They were:
The two Lares, their
attributes missing.
Venus Anadyomene,
nude.
Hercules holding an
apple in the left hand with the lion skin over the same arm; his right hand and
left foot are missing.
Priapus.
Figures of a Faun, a
Cupid and an ithyphallic old man – all decorative in character.
See Giorn. Scavi, N.S., ii, 1872, 363.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome:
MAAR 14. (p.72, no. 329).
VII.15.5
Pompeii.
Rectangular niche in north wall of garden area.
VII.15.4, on left, and VII.15.5, in centre.
August 2021. Looking east along north side of Vicolo del Gallo.
Foto Annette Haug, ERC
Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
Looking towards north wall of small garden
with niches and site of cylindrical altar and lararium painting. Photo courtesy
of Aude Durand.
Boyce recorded a
rectangular niche (h.0.61, w.0.35, d.0.23, h. above floor 1,05) and his plate
12,3 showed a plastered wall to the right of it which presumably covered the
second niche.
The inside walls of
the rectangular niche and a raised border 0.12 wide on the wall around it
coated with white stucco and decorated with black stripes.
The wall around the
niche and the border is painted red and marked off as a panel (h.1.10, w.1.25)
by black stripes, and in the tall rectangular space (w.0.30) on each side
between the niche and the edge of the panel is painted a yellow and black
serpent, coiling vertically with its head at the top.
On the back wall of
the niche itself is painted a female (?) figure reclining upon a kline set
beneath a kind of awning; the upper part of her body is nude, the lower part
wrapped in a yellow robe; on her head is a wreath of leaves.
Before the kline
stands a three-legged table upon which are three jars. Fiorelli identified the
figure as Libera.
On the floor in
front of the niche, he recorded a cylindrical masonry altar (diam. at top 0.35,
h. 0.50) coated with stucco painted in imitation of red and white marble.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 72, no.330, plate
12,3).
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.290, L92).
VII.15.7 Pompeii.
Lararium painting on north wall of kitchen. (No photo).
According to Boyce –
In the kitchen is a lararium painting: In the centre stands a blazing altar; on the right of it a male figure, clad in long garment and holding in his left hand an acerra, stretches his right over the top of the altar – apparently the Genius; on the left of the altar is a female figure similarly clad and holding her right hand over the altar – perhaps the Juno. On each side of this central group stands a wreathed Lar, wearing tunic and pallium and holding rhyton and patera.
In the zone below, a single serpent approaches an altar.
He quotes references – Sogliano 13, Fiorelli, Scavi, 105, no.19; Fiorelli, Descr., 311; Niccolini, ii, Descr. Gen.,63.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome:
MAAR 14. (p.72, no. 331).
VII.15.8 Pompeii.
Arched niche with aedicula façade on north wall of garden area.
VII.15.8
Pompeii. December 2018.
North wall of garden area, with niche. Photo
courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.15.8 Pompeii.
December 2018. Detail of niche in north wall of garden area. Photo courtesy of
Aude Durand.
VII.15.8 Pompeii,
1978.
Looking towards
niche in north wall of garden area. On the right is the window from the oecus,
overlooking the garden area.
Photo by Stanley A.
Jashemski.
Source: The
Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland
Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative
Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.
J78f0238
VII.15.8 Pompeii. Pre-1937-39. Looking towards niche in north wall of
garden area.
Photo courtesy of American Academy in Rome,
Photographic Archive. Warsher collection no. 956.
VII.15.8 Pompeii,
1931. Looking towards niche in north wall of garden area.
DAIR 31.2462. Photo © Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Abteilung Rom,
Arkiv.
According to Boyce –
in the centre of the
north wall of the garden area near the floor, was an arched niche (h.0.59,
w.0.53, d.0.26, h. above floor 0.50).
The wall around it
was covered with a rectangular panel (h.1.40, w.1.65) of white stucco.
On this was an
aedicula façade which was marked off with yellow and violet lines in low
relief.
The work was
delicately executed but somewhat irregular.
His reference Bull.
Inst., 1874, 65.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.72, no.332, Pl. 6,2)
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano:
LED Edizioni, (p.281 no.V69).
VII.15.11 Pompeii.
Small arched niche on west wall of garden area.
VII.15.11/12 Pompeii. March 2018. Looking west across garden area.
Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
VII.15.11/12 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of niche in west wall of garden area. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
According to Boyce-
in the west wall of the garden was a smaller
arched niche (h.0.45, w.0.45, d.0.20, h. above floor only 0.40), which may also
have been a lararium.
He also mentioned the shallow rectangular
niche in the east wall of the atrium, see VII.15.12 above.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the
Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR
14. (p.72, no.333)
See Giacobello, F.,
2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico.
Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.282 no.V71)
VII.15.11/12 Pompeii.
Shallow rectangular niche in east wall of courtyard, and arched niche in
west wall of garden.
VII.15.12 Pompeii. March 2018.
Looking north-east from garden area of VII.15.11, across to room described by Boyce as “central atrium-like room”.
According to Eschebach, it was a triclinium.
Foto Taylor
Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
VII.15.12 Pompeii. March 2018. Looking east across room described as “central atrium-like room” or triclinium.
Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
According to Boyce –
in the east wall of
the central atrium-like room was a shallow, rectangular niche (h.0.50, w.0.85,
d.0.23, h. above floor 1.60) of unusual proportions.
Its walls were
coated with yellow stucco and decorated with red stripes; the Bull. Inst. referred
to it as “forse un larario”.
See Bullettino dell’Instituto di
Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1874, 71.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome:
MAAR 14. (p.72, no.333).
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.282 no.V70)
VII.15.12 Pompeii. March 2018. Detail of rectangular niche in east wall.
Foto Taylor
Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
VII.15.12 Pompeii
but shown as VII.15.9 on photo. Pre-1937-39.
Looking towards
rectangular niche in east wall of the atrium/or triclinium.
The doorway, on the
right, would be VII.15.11, the garden entrance.
Photo courtesy of
American Academy in Rome, Photographic Archive. Warsher collection no. 1900.
VII.15.13 Pompeii.
Painting in niche, west wall of atrium, under the stairs to the upper floor.
According to Boyce
(he locates this as VII.15.12) –
In the west wall of
the atrium, beneath the stairs to the upper floor, is an arched niche (h.0.65,
w.0.40, d.0.30, h. above floor 1.35).
The walls inside the
niche were painted with birds perching upon leafy boughs.
They were painted in
red and blue on the white background.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome:
MAAR 14. (p.72, no. 334).
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano:
LED Edizioni, (p.245, no.A29).
Lararium painting with stucco element in the form of an altar in the shape of a low Doric half column, in east wall of kitchen above hearth.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz:
von Zabern. (p.290, L93, described as VII.15.12).
According to Boyce,
in the kitchen, located on the east side of the entrance fauces on the east
wall above the hearth, was the lararium.
An altar in the form
of a low half-column of stucco was applied to the wall and painted red.
Around it coiled a
serpent in yellow stucco relief, half of its body in elaborate rings above and
to the right of the altar, and actually tied into a knot.
Above the top of the
altar “the usual fruits” were reported to have been painted.
On each side was the
figure of a Lar.
Below and to the
right is painted a tabella ansata, as if meant to contain an inscription,
though none was visible at the time of excavation.
The whole painting
was bordered by red stripes, and across the top were stretched three garlands.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome: MAAR 14, (p.73, no.335, and Pl.23,2). He located this at
VII.15.12.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und
Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.290, L93,
described as VII.15.12).
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano:
LED Edizioni, (p.195, no.82).
Old undated
photograph courtesy of the Society of Antiquaries, Fox Collection.
A Lar can be made
out in the top left-hand corner, and a hog’s head on the right side of the
altar.
Undated watercolour by Luigi Bazzani, a preliminary study of painted wall-decoration of the lararium in the kitchen.
Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum. Inventory number 2053-1900.
VII.16.a Pompeii.
Painting of Fortuna on east wall of latrine in Suburban Baths.
VII.16.a Pompeii. May 2010. Room 14, lararium on east wall.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den
Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.301, L114, Taf.50.3).
VII.16.a Pompeii. July 2008. Room 14, painted Lararium on east wall of the latrine. Photo courtesy of Barry Hobson.
Under two red garlands stands Fortuna, dressed in a red Chiton and blue Mantel.
She has a horn of plenty on her left arm and on her right is a rudder and a globe.
A round altar with an offering is to the right.
An inscription in black which was above the altar is no longer visible.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.301, L114, Taf. 50, 3).
VII.16.a Pompeii. May 2010. Room 14, detail of Fortuna.
VII.16.a Pompeii. May 2010. Room 14, detail of altar.
VII.16.4 Pompeii.
Semi-circular niche in east wall of shop-room, no trace remains.
VII.16.4 Pompeii. December
2004. Looking north across shop towards doorway to atrium of VII.16.3, and
doorway to rear room.
On the left, in the
west wall was another doorway to the entrance corridor of VII.16.3.
According to Boyce –
in the east wall was
a semi-circular niche (h.0.40, w.0.45, d.0.20, h. above floor 0.90) – la
nicchia dei Penati, according to Fiorelli.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.73, no.336)
According to Garcia
y Garcia, this workshop was destroyed by the bombing of 13th September 1943,
and then partially restored in 1950.
There is now no
trace of a window at the rear looking into the atrium, as it has been replaced
by a doorway.
The niche that Boyce
described as being in the east wall, although there was doubt as to its exact
position, has not been replaced at all.
Avellino located it
in the west wall, whereas Boyce said in the east wall.
See Garcia y Garcia, L., 2006. Danni di guerra a Pompei. Rome: L’Erma di
Bretschneider. (p.131).
VII.16.7 Pompeii.
Two arched niches in west wall of bar-room.
VII.16.7 Pompeii.
March 2018.
Looking west towards
entrance doorway, on left, counter with display shelves and inset urn/s, and
west wall with two niches.
Foto Taylor
Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
According to Boyce –
In the west wall are
two arched niches, of practically the same size (h.0.46, w.0.37, d.0.28, h.
above floor 1.40, distance apart 2.20), within one of which is a low step – “due
nicchia per i Penati”, according to Fiorelli.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p73, No.337).
VII.16.7 Pompeii. December 2018.
Niche set into west wall at south end with low step. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.16.7 Pompeii. December 2018.
Looking towards niche on west wall at north end. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
VII.16.10 Pompeii.
Square niche on south side of atrium, which may have belonged to a “di santuario o edicola”, no traces remain.
According to Boyce,
in a room to the south side of the house was a square niche.
Its inside walls
were coated with white stucco, “forse per uso di santuario o edicola”,
according to the report.
He gave the
reference PAH, II, 494, (Feb. 27, 1851)
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome:
MAAR 14. (p.73, no.338)
See Fiorelli G., 1862. Pompeianarum
antiquitatum historia, Vol. 2: 1819 - 1860, Naples, p. 494,
(Feb. 27, 1851).
VII.16.12/13 Pompeii.
Arched niche in west (?) wall of rear room with oven, no trace remains in west wall but there is a recess in the south wall.
VII.16.12/13
Pompeii. December 2007.
Room 29, arched
recess in south wall.
Is this the arched
niche Boyce was referring to, in the south wall not the west. It does not
appear to be 1.20 from the floor either.
According to Boyce –
in the west wall of
the rear room with the large oven was an arched niche (h.0.80, w.0.62, d.0.35,
h. above floor 1.20), of irregular shape.
Its walls were
profusely decorated on a pink background with spots of many colours combined
with star-like flowers on the vaulted ceiling.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 73, no. 339,
location given as VII.16.12).
VII.16.12/13
Pompeii. December 2007. Room 29, detail of arched recess in south wall.
VII.16.12/13
Pompeii. December 2007. Room 29, looking west to site of steps.
According to Boyce –
in the west wall of
the rear room with the large oven was an arched niche (h.0.80, w.0.62, d.0.35,
h. above floor 1.20), of irregular shape.
Its walls were
profusely decorated on a pink background with spots of many colours combined
with star-like flowers on the vaulted ceiling.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 73, no. 339,
location given as VII.16.12).
VII.16.13 Pompeii.
Altar in north-east corner of atrium, either an altar for sacrifices, or the base of a lararium.
VII.16.13 Pompeii. December 2007. Doorway to room 5, on left, and to room 3, in centre.
Doorway from atrium to rooms 3 and 4 and entrance doorway from
On the left of the doorway are the remains of the brick base of a shrine to the household gods.
According to Boyce, in the north-east corner of the atrium stands a ruined brick base (0.80 square, h. varies from 0.90 to 1.20).
It was later in date than the stucco on the wall and is described by Fiorelli as “l’altare dei sacrifizi”.
Mau described it as “die Basis der Larenkapelle”.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 73, no. 340).
VII.16.13 Pompeii. December 2007.
Doorway to room 5 on the north-east side of atrium, on the left.
In the centre is the ruined base of a shrine to household gods, and doorway to VII.16.14, is on right.
VII.16.13/14 Pompeii. Pre-1937-39. North-east corner of atrium, with doorway to room 5, in centre.
Between the two doorways are the remains of the brick base of a shrine to the household gods.
The doorway on the right leads to VII.6.14.
Photo courtesy of American Academy in Rome, Photographic Archive. Warsher collection no. 1743.
VII.16.22 Pompeii.
Lararium painting on south wall of room 28 (PPM).
VII.16.22 Pompeii. Lararium painting on south wall of room 28.
In the middle of the upper picture zone on the round altar there is a small, sacrificing genius without a cornucopia and opposite him, on the other side of the altar, is a small Tibicen. Two large Lares flank the scene. Only the lower legs of the left have been preserved. The remains of a garland are visible at the top of the picture. Faint remains of three green plants can be seen between the tibicen and the altar as well as between the genius and the right Lar and at the far-right edge of the picture. In the lower picture zone, two large snakes move from the left and right between green plants towards a round altar in the centre of the picture.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder
in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.290, L94, Taf. 46,1).
VII.16.22 Pompeii. Detail of right hand Lar from Lararium
painting on south wall of room 28.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.290, L94, Taf, 8,2,
& 46,1).
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.195, no.83)
Grimaldi, 2006, p.292.
VII.16.22 Pompeii. Lararium painting on south wall of room 28.
The scene is divided, as frequently, between a lower area, with snakes on the sides of an altar, and an upper area, in which the Lares are represented (the one on the left is almost completely lost), who assist the sacrifice at an altar.
As is known, this is a type of decoration that was renewed very frequently, and it is therefore very probable that this lararium can be assigned to the last years of the city.
See Carratelli, G. P., 1990-2003. Pompei:
Pitture e Mosaici. Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, (p. 977, no. 51.)
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