On the western wall of the portico was an arched niche. The niche sat 1.10m above the floor and had a heavy projecting terracotta base with a low rectangular step, likely used as an altar. On the floor of the niche were two statuette base holes. Both the niche and the surrounding walls were painted with a yellow background with a thick red border. Above and to the sides of the niche were garlands with taeniae. On the back wall was the Genius pouring a libation on an altar with a tibicen on the opposing side. On either side of the niche stood the Lares, the right one holding a rhyton and situla while the left held a rhyton and a skyphos. On the left interior wall was the popa leading a hog. Below the niche on the left side was Mercury with his caduceus and purse with two crescent shapes suspended behind him. These three figures were painted on a column that was part of the peristyle Immediately below the niche was the depiction of a serpent among plants, which may have been a pair depending on different excavation accounts. Above the serpent was a garland. Prior to the eruption, the scene had been coated in a thin plaster to be repainted.