THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
Roman Domestic Religion
PP275
House of the Labyrinth (VI. xi. 9/10)
Cult Space Type:
Cult Painting
Date:
79 A.D.
Features:
Wall Painting
Associated
Cult Spaces:
PP273, PP274
Room function:
Commercial space (Industrial and Other)
Description:
Located on the east wall of the bakery, above a hearth, was a cult painting. The painting had three zones, all on a white background. In the upper zone was Vesta holding a sceptre and a patera above an altar, with a donkey behind it. On either side were the Lares holding paterae and rhyta. On the left of this group was Venus Pompeiana holding an olive branch, sceptre, and rudder. To the left of her was Amor wearing a bulla around his neck and holding a blue mirror. Across the top of this upper register was a garland. In the middle zone, a single serpent was depicted moving towards a rectangular altar. In the lowest zone, the river god Sarnus held reeds while lounging on an overturned vase from which a stream of water flowed. Only small sections of the painting survive today.
References:
Boyce 1937, p. 51 (#185)
Image reference:
Abbate 1840 (Via Pompeii in Pictures)