VI.17.25 Pompeii. Casa del Leone or Casa di Polibio or House of Polybius.

Linked to VI.17.23. First excavated in 1764. Bombed in 1943.

Part 3       Part 1      Part 2

1780

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 308, January to February 1780

It would appear that the excavation in VI.17.17, Casa di C. Ceio was completed in March 1780, and work began again in Casa del Leone, starting in the “sotterranei” (underground areas) in the winter months, and the upper level in the summer season. On the 15^th June 1780 (PAH vol. 1, part I, p.311, below) they found the entrance fauces/corridor to the house, as well as the mosaic in the flooring which gave its name to the house

According to Pagano:

18^th March 1780 –

“In the present week at Pompeii we have begun to discover another underground area, immediate to those already excavated: and amongst the earth, not yet having reached the ancient floor, the following was found – Bronze: ... Terracotta: ... All these have been sent to the Royal Museum to Signor Paderni. (See PAH 1, Part I, p.309 below, dated 17^th March 1780).

17th November 1780 –

“Amongst the most significant finds of these months was a coin treasury, presumably wrapped in a canvas cloth and stored in a wooden box.”

(See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.57) and

PAH, vol.1, pars I, p.315, (Note – this should be p.311). 

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 309, February to March 1780.

According to Pagano, 25^th March 1780 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, (see PAH, p.310 below), work had to be done to discover the main road in order to continue later to excavate the underground area named in the past report: and this, related to freeing the underground area from the rainwater that was introduced there …….”

(See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.50).

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 310, March to May 1780.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 311, May to July 1780.

According to Pagano, 17^th June 1780 –

“In the present week in Pompeii, we have continued to excavate the house mentioned already at other times, and in its entrance we have found a mosaic floor with decoration of many colours in its centre”. (See PAH 1, Part I, p.311 above, dated 15^TH June 1780).

(See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.53).

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 312, July 1780.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 313, July to September 1780.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 314, September to October 1780.

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Drawing of one of the terracotta lamps found and reported 30th September 1780.

The nude figure of a man holding a lance in his right hand, and a stick in his left hand is preparing to hit a dog cowering nearby.

See Antichità di Ercolano: Tomo Setto: Le Pitture 5, 1779, no.32, p.163.

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.55).

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, (p.79), dated 30th September 1780, and Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 1, page 314 above.

VI.17.25 Pompeii.

Drawing of marble table with two heads of animals in the cornice, with the foot detached that forms a grooved pilaster with frame and plinth.

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.55).

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, (p.79), Rami Inediti 67ab, and Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1, 1, 314, see above.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 3, page 315, October to November 1780.

According to Pagano,

18^th November 1780 –

“In the present week in Pompeii, we have worked to discover the underground area of a house which was found in a bad state, and which it is necessary to go and repair it, as it exists, as far as possible.”

“After having written the report, I have sent from Pompeii 167 bronze coins of medium value, and 3 of larger value. These were found in one of the rooms of the underground, that I have noted above: and they remained wrapped up in a canvas, of which some fragments were kept around some coins, and stored inside a wooden drawer. The remains of the bronze seal that adorned this drawer were found, and the lock. The coins being covered in rust, we could not know what they represented. I have sent all to the Royal Museum to Signor Paderni ……”  (See PAH, 1, part I, p.315 above, report of 17th November 1780)

25^th November 1780 –

“In the present week in Pompeii, we have worked in the underground area already named in many reports, and having begun to discover other apartments, placed above to those already partly excavated, we have found the following transported by the force of the eruption from the upper apartments, as had been the coins described last Saturday.”

“In one such underground area I hope that many finds can be made, and that it has remained in a good state with its vaults:  but in this week it has not been possible to continuously work without being harassed by the gas (Mofeta). …………etc

(See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.57 and p.58).

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 3, page 316, December 1780.

1781

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 1 (18th January 1781).

According to Pagano,

6^th January 1781 –

“In the present week in Pompeii we have continued the excavation around the underground area nominated in other reports, where we found a room with white mosaic floor: and in the lowest floor of this same underground area, which however, remains covered with a vault, the walls are being strengthened with new masonry ….

(See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.59).

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Found 18th January 1781.

Balance scale with counterweights in form of the bust of a figure.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 74054.

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, (p.79), Rami Inediti 85, and Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1,2,1, see above.

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 2, 10th February 1781.

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Found 10th February 1781.

Drawing of relief of stucco with two cupids between herms, from decoration of a vault.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 9580.

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, (p.79), Rami Inediti 86, and Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1,2,2, see above.

According to Pagano,

10th February 1781 –

“In the present week in Pompeii we have worked to discover the house mentioned other times and found – a relief of stucco with two cupids a herm and a column: and this piece was a portion of the decoration of a vault, which was found all fragmented in the remains. A terracotta lamp with a light with small pods around, and with a cross in the middle, which ended at its foot with a heart. And these things I have sent to the Royal Museum.”

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.60.

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Found 15th February 1781.

Drawing by Casanova of a bronze prefericolo, a jug used in religious ceremonies.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 68991.

Photo © ICCD. http://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

The original ICCD photo is of a copper plate and has here been reversed to show the item as it would be seen on the printed page.

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, p.79, Rami Inediti 280.

See Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1,2,2, 15th February 1781, see above.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 3, February to April 1781.

According to Pagano, 

7^th April 1781 –

“In the present week in Pompeii, we have discovered a room and a portion of corridor of the underground area mentioned at other times, and have found the following: Bronze: … Iron: …Bone: … Glass: … Terracotta: …All have been sent to the Royal Museum together with a bronze coin of Vespasian of a large amount which was found by a villager working the earth above at Pompeii. In the underground area mentioned above, other than the things mentioned, many pieces of marble were found amongst the ruin of the floor of the apartment that was above, like some pure marble slabs.” (See PAH, page 3 above, dated 11^th April 1781).

21^st April 1781 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, two rooms have been found, in one of these various pieces of slabs of marble were found, that were stored on the same site: and in the other, the following were found, fallen from the upper apartments: Bronze: … Marble: … Glass: ... (See PAH, 3 above, dated 19^th April 1781).

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.61.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 4, April to June 1781, and (23.5.1781)

According to Pagano and Prisciandaro – (PAH, I,2, p.5, see above) –

8^th June 1781.

“We have finished emptying a room and corridor mentioned in yesterday’s report. This room had a white mosaic floor with, in the middle, a central emblema of various colours and work, but nearly all broken: in the wall plaster – the zoccolo was green and the middle was white, with some lines and figures: here were found –

1).  A circular altar, supported by three lion’s legs (Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 73997, Rami Inediti, fig.87, see below).

2).  A small base, Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 71063.

3).  A jug with handle decorated with a mask.”

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi,

(p.79).

According to Pagano,

26^th May 1781 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, we have emptied a room of the underground area mentioned many times: this room- which was 16 ¼ pal. wide x 18 ¼ pal. long (4.28m. x 4.81m.) – has a mosaic floor with a panel of 13 x 12 ¾ pal, (3.43m. x 3.36m.) subdivided into more compartments, and these decorated with foliage and more, of several colours. It was not in the middle of the floor, but left a white background on just two sides, and the other two sides were found next to the wall. The same floor was missing a portion of around 4 pal. (1.05m.) per side, and at one corner of the room were found many loose mosaics, that perhaps were destined to make the said missing part. As this floor was very ornate, and could not be protected from the injuries of the weather, I have advised Canart to send someone to cut it. In the same room, amongst the ruins of the upper apartment, the following things were found: Bronze: ... Glass: ... Bone: ...” (See PAH, p. 4 above, dated 23rd May 1781).

2nd June 1781 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, we have discovered a room of the many times mentioned underground area, at the side of the other that was discovered last week: this had a black mosaic floor with band all around adorned with a weave in various colours. The wall plaster in the same room was gracefully embellished with grotesques and figures on a black background, but of these, only a small portion remains. Canart has sent his young boy to take the measurements of the floor described in the last report to cut it.” (See PAH, p. 4 above, dated 31^st May 1781).

9th June 1781 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, we have discovered a room of the underground area mentioned in other reports, this had a floor of white mosaic, and in the middle a square with decoration of many colours, but this was all broken: and the walls were decorated with various grotesques. Found in the same were: Bronze: … Terracotta: … Glass: … Stone: …  (See PAH, p.4 and 5, dated 8^th June 1781).

16^th June 1781 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, we have worked to continue to discover the rooms of the underground area mentioned many times, by raising the earth from above. Having considered that the square with the decoration of coloured mosaics, described in the past report, although broken, it is easy to make up for the missing parts, and that by staying exposed to the weather it is possible that in time, we will lose all of it, it would be better to cut it, and I have advised Signor Canart.”

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.62-3.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 5, June 1781.

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Found 8th June 1781. Circular altar with turreted top and three “lion’s” legs.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 73997.

Also found was a small base, Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 71063.

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, p.79, Rami Inediti 87, and Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1,2, pages 4-5, see above.

According to Pagano,

30^th June 1781 –

“In the present week, we have continued to excavate in the underground area mentioned many times, where a room was discovered with mosaic floor embellished with many compartments and decorations: but this was in a bad state, finding the broken vault above where it lay. The boy of Canart has already cut the mosaic floor described on the 26^th May, and this has been sent in four pieces to the studio of the sculptor in Resina.

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.63-4.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 6, June to September 1781.

According to PAH, p.6 above –

19^th July 1781 -

A room had been emptied next to a stove (“stufa”- thought to be a heating element in one of the underground rooms, perhaps the furnace room connected to a baths’ area).  This room had a floor of mattoni-pesto (brick dust) and the walls were painted with white plaster……..etc.

See PAH, 1, 2, p.6.

According to Pagano –

11^th August 1781:

“In Pompeii, the excavation continued, as usual, by lifting the earth that covered a loggia/terrace of the house, where we have worked for a long time, and an apartment that remains under the same terrace.”

18^th August 1781:

“In Pompeii, a small section of the loggia/terrace has been discovered of the house where we have worked for some time, and amongst the ruins of the side masonry of the same, the following was found: Bronze:… Terracotta: … Glass: … “

1^st September 1781:

“In Pompeii, a staircase was excavated that descended into the rooms of the lower floor of the House named several times…… above a step of this stairs, a mass of gold leaves had been found, to decorate.........etc.”

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.64-5.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 7, September to November 1781.

According to Pagano:

8^th September 1781 –

“In Pompeii, the excavation continued in the underground area nominated in the past report, and a small distance from the site where the gold leaf was found, the following was found: Bronze: … Iron: … Terracotta: … Glass: … The entire shell of a tortoise. These things were sent to the Royal Museum.” (See PAH, p. 6-7 above, dated 5^th September 1781).

22nd September 1781 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, we have worked to lift earth in the external part of the usual dwelling, and at the same time cleaning up a room of the same, where the following was found amongst the ruins – Bronze: some shattered fragments of a covered plate, and another vase/jug with two handles: which have been sent to the Royal Museum.”

10^th November 1781 –

“In Pompeii we continue to lift earth from around the house mentioned many times, and at the same time amongst the ruin of a floor, fallen in a room on the lower floor, the following were found: Bronze: …Glass: …” (See PAH, p.7 above, dated 8^th November 1781).

17^th November 1781 –

“In Pompeii, after having excavated in some rooms of the apartment of the lower floor of the usual house, we lifted the earth that rested above all of the terrace that covered this apartment.”

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.65-6.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 8, November to December 1781.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 9, December 1781 to January 1782.

1782

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 10, January to February 1782.

According to PAH, p.10 above:

21^st February 1782 –

“In the present week, we evict the earth from above the known loggia, as well as from the portion of the abutting loggia, which fell because of the waters. The mosaic floors were immediately covered, but they were all ruined due to the ice/frost that fell on top.”

According to Pagano –

23^rd February 1782 –

“In the present week at Pompeii, we have worked to lift earth from around the usual building inside the city. At the same time the mosaic floors, that had been discovered to show to the high R(ea)li di Russia, were covered as they had suffered quite a lot from the frosts that had occurred during the past days, as had part of the loggia fallen of the abutting house to that which is currently being excavated………….”

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.70.

According to PAH, p.10/11 above and below:

28^th February 1782 –

“We continue the excavation as in the past report without anything new, and they have left all the plaster since it was ordered by Sig. La Vega.

7^th March 1782 –

“We continue the excavations by emptying the ruins of the precipitous loggia, ………etc.  (Note: probably VI.17.13)

14^th March 1782 –

“Continuing the excavation, lifting the earth from above the loggia named in the past report.

We have finished emptying the ruins of the adjacent portion of the loggia, which has collapsed because of the rains. Found amongst the ruins of this extension were: Bronze: ... Terracotta: ... (see page 11 below).

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 11, February to May 1782.

According to Pagano, -

29th June 1782:

“In the present week in Pompeii, we had continued to dig around the usual house, where a portico with several columns covered with stucco was discovered.”

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.71.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 12, May to July 1782.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 13, July to November 1782.

1783

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 14, November 1782 to February 1783.

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 15, February to July 1783.

According to PAH, p.15 above -

15^th May 1783:

“In the present week at Pompeii we have evacuated a room of the lower apartments in a place where we have dug for the past days. This had a floor of white mosaic with two black lines around, the wall plaster, for the portion that remains, had a black zoccolo, the middle of the wall was painted red with two figures, most was broken and missing. The said room had a window with windowsill of ordinary white mosaic, and there remained a mosaic skeleton holding a jug in each hand, made in black mosaic”.

 “We have freed a room in the place where we have excavated in the past days. This had a floor of white mosaic surrounded by two black lines, the plaster, the black zoccolo, the red middle of the wall with two figures, and more broken and missing.”

Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia,1,2,15

See Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, p.75.

VI.17.19-26 Pompeii. Found in the week to 17th May 1783 in a room of a lower apartment.

Mosaic of skeleton holding a jug in each hand.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 9978.

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi. (p.80) Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1,2,15, above.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 16, July to August 1783.

According to Pagano and Prisciandaro, 10^th July 1783 –

“In the present week at Pompeii we have worked to lift earth from outside the portico of the house noted in the preceding report, and also we have lifted a portion of earth from a room immediate to that portico. In this room, in the portion of the excavated façade that remains, the plaster has the black background, with some grotesque architecture painted on it: and in the middle there was a painting in which there were painted three figures, two sitting in a kind of chair, one of a man almost completely naked, and another of a woman playing a lyre: and ahead of these there remains a woman dressed in a full length tunic, who is in the act of listening: the background of this painting showed a room with a window.”

Also see Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.76).

VI.17.19-26 Pompeii. Painting of Apollo instructing a female Citharist (muse?) while another woman leaning on a low pillar listens.

Photo © Trustees of the British Museum. Inventory number 1867, 0508.1353.

See Richardson, L., 2000. A Catalog of Identifiable Figure Painters of Ancient Pompeii, Herculaneum. Baltimore: John Hopkins, p. 65, p. 67.

According to Fiorelli, found 10th July 1783.

A painting was discovered in the plaster of a room, showing three figures, one of a sitting man with a woman, who was playing the harp on her lap, and the other woman was watching and listening in admiration.

The entire painting was 2 and three/quarters pal. by 1 and ten/twelfths pal (approximately 0.73m by 0.48m).

See Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1, 2, (p.16).

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi. (p.80) Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1,2,16, see above.

According to PAH –

“7th August 1783: 

We have excavated the entire room in the underground area noted in the report of 17^th July, where we lifted the picture: this room had a floor of black mosaic with two small lines of white mosaic around its edges. The zoccolo was painted black, and was decorated with yellow and turquoise with birds, fronds and flowers. The background was also black and was divided by painted architectural columns and grotesques and in the middle of these paintings were figures and landscapes with trees. In the corner of this room, 62 pans were found. Also found – Bronze …: Marble …: Terracotta …: At the rear, that is opposite this room, there was a niche made of stucco, which was decorated with bands and decoration of various colours, and in its vault, there was stucco relief.”

See PAH 1,2 p.16 above.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 17, August to November 1783.

According to Pagano and Prisciandaro –

2^nd October 1783 –

“In the usual portico, 3 skeletons were discovered at the point shown on the plan, together with 5 rings.” See PAH 1,2, p.17 above, and addendum, p.164.

Note on p.80 of Pagano and Prisciandaro reads –

“2^nd October 1783 – three skeletons with gold and silver rings and coins nearby, in the portico of one of the lower floors of the house opposite to that of Acteon”.

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi. (p.80).

According to Pagano –

8^th November 1783:

“In the present week at Pompeii we have continued the excavation around the usual house, and dug in the lowest floor, where there was a side portico to a garden, which had a basin/tub covered in marble in the centre, and a lead pipe with a bronze key which introduced the water. I have partly made, by means of a hole, the discovery of this basin/tub in order to put it onto the plan of this building, but I do not think it convenient to excavate it entirely as there is a very high layer of earth covering it, and I do not have hopes of finding anything in this place. The above house, being almost entirely excavated, only leaving some underground rooms to be emptied, which we will do in the wet weather of next winter. The following was found in the garden – Bronze …:

Marble …: Terracotta …: Glass … “ (p.79)

see Pagano M., 1997. I diari di scavo di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia di Francesco e Pietro La Vega (1764-1810). Roma, (p.78-9)

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 18, November to December 1783.

1784

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 19, December 1783 to February 1784.

VI.17.25 Pompeii. Found 15^th December 1783. Broken terracotta lamp with two figures by a fountain.

See Antichità di Ercolano: Tomo Ottavo: Lucerne, Lanterne, Candelabri, 1792, 47, 225.

15th December 1783 -

According to Pagano and Prisciandaro –

“In the present week in Pompeii, we have continued the excavation around the usual house…..

Found in the portico and garden of the above, the following –

Terracotta: a lamp without handle and broken in the wick-holder, with relief showing two figures – one leaning to a fountain with holy water, and the other with a vase pours water into the same fountain.”

See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi. (p.81) Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1,2,page 19, see above.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 20, February to April 1784.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 21, April to July 1784.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 22, July 1784.

According to PAH, below:

26th August 1784 –

This week, the entire courtyard and the three rooms that are at the back of the same have been excavated, without anything new. This courtyard has a floor of black mosaic with two white stripes surrounding it, and some white pieces that form some lines. In the middle there was the usual basin but missing the marble table that decorated it. The walls are painted, that is the zoccolo being the colour of various marbles, above it was black with various red decorations, birds and others. Of the three said rooms, that in the middle, as was the tablinum, with floor of larger white mosaics surrounded by two black lines: in its entrance was a step of white marble, on. 4 ½, high, (0.10m high), and at the back was another marble step, high pal. ¼, (0.07m high) and communicated to a garden, according to what appears now. The walls are painted, that is the zoccolo the colour of various marbles, and above in red and black with various decorations, birds, two paintings and others. And on the two sides was a black panel, in the middle of one was a painting, and in the other some figures, (che ambo vengono mangiate dal rivegine.)

The two side rooms, the one on the west had a step of marble, floor of mattoni pesti (brick dust), the walls were black in the middle, and white above, and communicated with other internal places. That of the other side, east, also had flooring of mattoni pesti (brick dust) with some white stones decorating it, and at the back was a window which would communicate with the referred garden. The walls were painted red in the middle, and white above.

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 23, August to October 1784.

According to PAH, above:

2^nd September – 14^th October 1784 –

“We began to continue a new cut of earth, to discover the more internal part of the dwelling expressed in the past reports, without anything new………………………………………. “

21^st October 1784 – “We have emptied two rooms of the dwelling noted in the past report.  ……………………………….”

28^th October – 4^th November 1784. – “We continue in the usual dwelling, and when it rains we move onto the Masseria of RR.PP. Celestini, but without anything new.”

Copy of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia 1, 2, Page 24, October to December 1784.

End of Pompeianarum Antiquitatum Historia, 1784

Part 1      Part 2