V.2.i Pompeii. Casa delle Nozze d’Argento or House of the Silver Wedding

or Domus L. Albucius Celsus.

Excavated between 1891 and 1908.

Part 1      Part 2      Part 3      Part 4      Part 5      Part 6      Part 7      Part 8      Part 9      Part 10      Part 11      Plan

V.2.i Pompeii, on left. September 2021.

Looking west on Vicolo delle Nozze d’Argento. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2005. Entrance on Vicolo delle Nozze d’Argento. 

V.2.i Pompeii. May 2005. Entrance and compluvium.

This house was named after the 25^th wedding anniversary of King Umberto I of Italy, and Queen Margherita and is considered one of the most splendid private houses in the city.

This “domus” was owned by L. Albucius Celsus, who belonged to an ancient Pompeian family that were very active in politics.

There were numerous electoral inscriptions found near to the house.

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 1, atrium. Restored compluvium, originally fitted with Grondaia or water spouts (see picture below).

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2007. Grondaia or water spout displayed on west wall of tablinum.

Originally would have been set around the four sides of the compluvium, above the impluvium in the atrium. 

The rainwater would have been channelled to pour through the open mouth of the lion into the impluvium below.

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2007. Room 1, atrium and impluvium looking towards tablinum and peristyle.

V.2.i Pompeii. Old postcard postmarked 1902. Looking south-east across atrium during excavation. Photo courtesy of Drew Baker.

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2007. Room 1, atrium, south end of impluvium. 

Stone basin on a stand with a bronze water spout next to a rectangular marble base and a travertine puteal.

V.2.i Pompeii. May 2005. Room 1, atrium. East side showing windows of rooms on upper floor.

V.2.i Pompeii. May 2018. Room 1, atrium. East side showing staircase and windows of rooms on upper floor.

V.2.i Pompeii. May 2018. Room 1, atrium. East side showing staircase and doorway to room 4.

V.2.i Pompeii.  May 2005. Room 1, atrium, looking south across to tablinum.

V.2.i Pompeii. 1895. Watercolour by Luigi Bazzani. Room 1, atrium.

Looking south-east across impluvium in atrium towards tablinum, from west side.

Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, inventory number E6281-1910 (ex.669-1899).

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2007. Doorway to room 2.

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, west wall, with blocked doorway through to house at V.2.h

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2007. Room 2 on west side of atrium has a small blocked door to V.2.h.

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, west wall with blocked doorway. 

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, south wall.

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2007. Room 2, south wall.

V.2.i Pompeii. December 2007. Room 2, small niche in south wall.

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, east wall, with doorway to entrance corridor, and room 3a directly opposite.

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, north-east corner, with door to entrance corridor in east wall.

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, north-east corner.

V.2.i Pompeii. March 2009. Room 2, north wall with two small windows onto Vicolo delle Nozze d’Argento.

Part 2      Part 3      Part 4      Part 5      Part 6      Part 7      Part 8      Part 9      Part 10      Part 11      Plan