THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP499
IX. iii. 10-12
Cult Space Type:
Shrine
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Niche, Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP500
Room function:
Commercial space (Industrial and Other)
Description:
On the south wall of the bakery space was an arched niche. The niche sat 1.60m above the floor. The interior of the niche was decorated with painted plants with green, brown, and red leaves with red flowers. On the wall around the niche were the painted depictions of Luna riding a horse and holding a torch, and Isis-Fortuna with a lotus flower within a crescent on her forehead and holding a cornucopia and rudder. A sistrum could be seen at her feet alongside the blue globe on which she rests her foot. Beside her is Amor flying, also holding a torch. Across the top of the painting ran a garland of leaves and bunches of grapes. Below the niche were two painted serpents, meeting at a cylindrical altar furnished with an egg and pine cone. The painting dates to the fourth style. Only the decoration on the interior of the niche survives today.
References:
Boyce 1937, p. 83 (#409); Fröhlich 1991, p. 295 (L102)
Image reference:
Annali dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica 1872 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)