VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Casa di Championnet I.

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Objects from the Championnet complex

Some objects on display in the Championnet complex

The objects are on display in the former Enel cabin in the Courtyard of the Moray Eels.

They were mostly found in the lower floors of, and area to the south of, the House of Championnet

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2018. Information card outlining the restoration. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. 2019 Fragment of fresco showing the return of Odysseus to Ithaca.

Found 31st December 1973, outside of the wall of the third room under the House of Championnet. Pompeii Inventory number 14231.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2019. Fragment of fresco showing the return of Odysseus to Ithaca.

Found 31st December 1973, outside of the wall of the third room under the House of Championnet.

Pompeii Inventory number 14231. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2018. Fragment of fresco showing the return of Odysseus to Ithaca.

Found 31st December 1973, outside of the wall of the third room under the House of Championnet.

Pompeii Inventory number 14231. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2019.

Fragment of fresco with cupid carrying a large object on the left shoulder, perhaps a cornucopia.

Found in the lower floors of the House of Championnet.

Pompeii Inventory number 14232. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. 2018. Fragment of fresco with cupid carrying a large object on the left shoulder, perhaps a cornucopia.

Found in the lower floors of the House of Championnet. Pompeii Inventory number 14232. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2019.

Bronze statuette of Mercury carrying a money bag. Found in the area to the south of the House of Championnet.

Pompeii Inventory number 6331.  Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

According to Zanella -

This statuette was found in Room B, the triclinium on the lower floor of VIII.2.3-5 (or room belonging to VIII.2.14-16) on 9th February 1937.

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, (p.268).

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2019.

Display case with finds from excavations conducted in the area since the 1930’s. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2018. Display case with finds from excavations conducted in the area since the 1930’s.

The top shelf shows a bronze needle, a bronze jug with female face, a small bronze amphora decorated with theatre masks and three bronze cups.

Bottom is a bronze olla (pot used for boiling), which conserves some of the lapilli from the eruption. Pompeii inventory 6322.

Also in the case is a bronze lamp on a tall stand.

All were found in the area to the south of the House of Championnet. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2019.

Display case with finds from excavations conducted in the area since the 1930’s. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2018. Finds from excavations conducted in the area since the 1930’s.

The top shelf includes:

A bronze needle. Pompeii inventory number 6312.

Bronze jug with female face at lower joint of the handle. Pompeii inventory number 6319.

Small bronze amphora decorated with theatre masks at the lower joints of the handles. Pompeii inventory number 6321.

Three bronze cups, bronze needle, bronze jug with female face and small bronze amphora decorated with theatre masks.

Pompeii inventory numbers 6310A, 6310B, 6323.

All were found in the area to the south of the House of Championnet. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2018. Bronze lamp at the top of a tall lamp stand. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018.

A well was rediscovered in one of the public buildings facing the Forum, and dated to the 2nd century BC, when the area was occupied by workshops.

It was filled with containers for the transport of wine and fish sauces produced in the Italian peninsula, Africa and Spain. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. April 2019.

Finds from excavations conducted in the area since the 1930’s. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018. Finds from excavations conducted in the area since the 1930’s.

Elements of a glass paste necklace. Pompeii inventory number 6330.

Green glass bottle. Pompeii inventory number 14828.

Two terracotta lamps.

Found in the area south of the House of Championnet. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018. Terracotta lamp with lion motif. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018. Terracotta lamp with figure. Zeus with eagle? Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018. Bone items found in area to the south of the House of Championnet.

Hairpins in worked bone, used for garments or hairstyles. Pompeii inventory numbers 6313B, 6314.

Small knife. Pompeii inventory number 6329.

Spindles with small discs for weaving. Pompeii inventory numbers 6313A, 6313D. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018. Marble youthful head, front view. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. February 2021.

Marble bust of Marcellus, found in the debris under the terrace of the House of Championnet, on display in Antiquarium at VIII.1.4.

Photo courtesy of Fabien Bièvre-Perrin (CC BY-NC-SA).

(Note: according to Maiuri, p.106 above, this was found in 1937 among the old debris of the Temple of Venus).

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018. Marble veiled head. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

Mosaic Flooring of Room J/Aka Room 36

(p.247-8)

23/12/1936

The cleaning of the first large room to the west (room J – room 36) has been completed, bringing back into the light the remains of a magnificent geometric tessellated pavement that divides the floor into two schemes, the central panel has been missing since the time of the old excavation.  The surviving parts were immediately secured with cement (solini) and covered with sand to protect them from frosts.

(Era stato ultimato il ripulimento del primo grande ambiente ad occidente (room J – piece 36) restituendo alla luce l’avanzo di un magnifico tessellato geometrico che divide il pavimento in due schemi, manca il riquadro centrale fin dall’epoca del vecchio scavo.  Le parti superstiti sono state subito assicurate con solini di cemento e ricoperto di sabbia per proteggerli dai geli.)

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, p. 240-1, p. 247-8.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Mosaic on floor in Naples Museum.

According to Zanella –

This mosaic, shown on page 107, fig.49, a drawing by L. Destouches, 1816-1817; (collection Pierre Pinon); is described as being from Casa di Championnet.

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, (P.107).

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. July 2019.  

Beautiful central emblema of coloured mosaic set into floor in Naples Archaeological Museum, “Magna Grecia” collection.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

It is thought this central emblema may be from this house, now seen re-set into another mosaic floor.

Many artists in the 19th century have seen and drawn this mosaic in Naples Museum.

According to Abbate, this mosaic was from either Stabia or Pompeii.

According to Real Museo Borbonico, vol.15, tav 24 (XXIV), this mosaic is from the Villa of Tiberius on Capri.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. July 2019. 

Detail of beautiful coloured central mosaic set into floor in Naples Archaeological Museum, “Magna Grecia” collection.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Pre-1852. Drawing by Zahn of Pompeii mosaic in original colours, from Naples Museum.

Zahn describes this as a mosaic from Pompeii in the colours of the original, currently in the Royal Museum in Naples.

This paving consists of small pieces of coloured marble (not glass paste) which are very exactly indicated here, so that according to this model the execution on a large scale would be very easy.

See Zahn, W., 1852-59. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: III. Berlin: Reimer, Taf. 6.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. July 1832. Part of floor mosaic drawn by Questel in Naples Museum, see above.

See Charles-Auguste Questel (1807-1888) Voyage en Italie et Sicile. Août 1831 - novembre 1832, pl. 36.

INHA identifiant numérique : NUM MS 512. Document placé sous « Licence Ouverte / Open Licence » Etalab 

Miscellaneous paintings, sketches/drawings described as being from Championnet (or House south of Basilica), but either no location has been found for them, or they are combined with others in the same photo.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Between 1819 and 1832, sketch by W. Gell of painted wall decoration in room of “House south of Basilica”.

See Gell, W. Pompeii unpublished [Dessins de l'édition de 1832 donnant le résultat des fouilles post 1819 (?)] vol II, pl. 20.

Bibliothèque de l'Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art, collections Jacques Doucet, Identifiant numérique Num MS180 (2).

See book in INHA Use Etalab Licence Ouverte

According to Dessales –

This shows a reproduction of a painted wall in VIII.2.1, the east or north wall of triclinium "ζ".  See PPM, VIII, p.44, no.28-29.

See Dessales, H. (2019). Recueils de William Gell – Pompei, publiée et inédite, 1801-1829. France, Paris, INHA. (p.256 and p.395).

VIII.2.1/3. C.1828, drawings by Zahn. Decorations, described as from house at the side of the Basilica.

See Zahn, W., 1828-29. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: I. Berlin: Reimer, taf. 51.

VIII.2.1/3. C.1828, drawings by Zahn in Naples Museum.

Decorations, top line in the middle, described as from house next to Basilica.

See Zahn, W., 1828-29. Die schönsten Ornamente und merkwürdigsten Gemälde aus Pompeji, Herkulanum und Stabiae: I. Berlin: Reimer, taf. 95.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Between 1819 and 1832, sketches by W. Gell of painted ornaments from walls in rooms, but no exact location.

See Gell, W. Pompeii unpublished [Dessins de l'édition de 1832 donnant le résultat des fouilles post 1819 (?)] vol II, pl. 32.

Bibliothèque de l'Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art, collections Jacques Doucet, Identifiant numérique Num MS180 (2).

See book in INHA Use Etalab Licence Ouverte

VIII.2.1 or 3, Pompeii. c.1820’s. Mosaics from Championnet, VIII.2.1 or VIII.2.3.

See Mazois, F., 1824. Les Ruines de Pompei : Second Partie. Paris : Firmin Didot, pl. XL.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Mosaics.

According to Roux, “It was probably of the same building that provenanced these three black and white fragments.

The first is remarkable for the variety of decoration on each tile.

The last for the successful provision of white rhomboids and black triangles. 

See Roux, H., 1840. Herculanem et Pompei recueil général des Peintures, Bronzes, Mosaïques : Tome 5. Paris: Didot, Tome 5, 6th series – Mosaics, (p.19), pl. 14.

(Note: The top mosaic is from the peristyle area. The lower mosaic is from the cubiculum on the east side of the entrance doorway.

The middle mosaic is from the door threshold of the cubiculum in the north-west corner of atrium of VIII.2.3.)

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Mosaics.

The top drawing would seem to be from a threshold.

The middle drawings would also seem to be from thresholds.

The lower two are from (on the left), the oecus on the east side of atrium, (and on the right), the west end of corridor in south-east corner of atrium.

They may or may not all be from this house.

According to Roux, “The fragments, which occupy the top and the bottom of this plate, don’t show any colour other than black and white, the designs are quite ordinary. Those in the middle are more curious, consisting of a happy curvature of scrolls and leaves. 

By completing the drawing on which we give here only half, we see that these marble bands would have had to decorate the thresholds or the floor between the columns of the porticos.”

See Roux, H., 1840. Herculanem et Pompei recueil général des Peintures, Bronzes, Mosaïques : Tome 5. Paris : Didot, Tome 5, 6th series – Mosaics, p.19-20, pl. 15.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Drawing of Mosaics.

The one on the left would appear to be similar to the middle one, above, of H. Roux.

The one on the upper right of this page, would appear to be the same as the one on the middle left, above, of H. Roux.

The one on the lower right of this page, has not yet been located.

See Debret F. (1777-1850), Piranesi F. (1758-1810), LaBrouste H. (1801-1875). Voyage en Italie-De Naples à Paestum, pl. 121.

INHA Identifiant numérique : NUM PC 77832 (07). See book on INHA Les documents sont placés sous « Licence Ouverte / Open Licence » Etalab

Miscellaneous – Possibly Room D/or Room J (Aka Room 36)

VIII.2.1 (?) Pompeii. Pre-1796. Figures, masks and animals from a wall of a house in Pompeii, produced by Luigi Vanvitelli, Marcantonio Iacomino and Vincenzo Campana

See Gli ornati delle pareti ed i pavimenti delle stanze dell'antica Pompei incisi in rame: part 1, 1796, p. 25,

See Gli ornati delle pareti ed i pavimenti delle stanze dell'antica Pompei incisi in rame: part 2, 1808.

See Gli ornati delle pareti ed i pavimenti delle stanze dell'antica Pompei incisi in rame: 1838, no.19.

We would like to think that this engraving was of the wall described by Breton, c.1855, see below, possibly room D of VIII.2.A, or perhaps from Room 36 (J) of VIII.2.1. 

Unfortunately for our theory that this was a wall from VIII.2.1 or VIII.2.A, is the fact that this drawing first appeared in Gli Ornati, 1796 – as the house was not allegedly excavated until 1799, how could this be, unless the area of the room was already exposed to the light, and visible.

With the Bourbon spoil heaps piled at the back of this area, it was presumably quite easy to scramble up the slopes to examine the rooms at the rear.  However, if the decoration on the south facing walls was exposed to the sunlight for at least 50 years, would it still be visible for Breton to see it all those years later.  There were also walls with painted mask found in VIII.2.30 which is another possibility, although these do not fit the description as seen in the engraving above.

If anyone can add any information to this, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Breton wrote, pre-1855, regarding the House of Championnet –

“Continuing down the stairs, we are in the underground part of the house............. These rooms were not fully excavated until 1827, but it seems that their existence had been known for a long time and that they had served as a retreat for brigands, because there was a modern stylus found there.

Several small vaults also opened onto the crypto-portico, which probably also communicated with the summer apartment located under the terrace and under the oecus. Of the rooms that composed it, only one is visible; it was 8m. 80 x 4m. 90; its flooring was composed of charming designs in white and black mosaic; on the black panels of the wall were painted masks and fantastic animals and above reigned an elegant stucco cornice where a painted vault began, almost completely destroyed.

Found in this house were several skeletons of women, wearing rings, bracelets and gold necklaces which were sent to the Paris Museum.”

(Continuant a descendre l’escalier, on se trouve dans la partie souterraine de l’habitation…………. Ces salles ne furent entièrement déblayées qu’en 1827, mais il parait que leur existence était connue depuis longtemps et qu’elles avaient servi de retraite a des brigands, car on y trouva un stylet moderne.

Plusieurs petits caveaux ouvrent aussi sur le crypte-portique, qui sans doute communiqua également avec l'appartement d'été situé sous la terrasse et sous l'oecus. Des salles qui le composaient, une seule est visible ; elle a 8m 80 sur 4m 90 ; son pavé est composé de charmants dessins en mosaïque blanche et noire ; sur les panneaux noirs de la muraille étaient peints des masques et des animaux fantastiques et au-dessus régnait une élégante corniche de stuc où prenait naissance une voûte peinte, presque entièrement détruite.

On a trouvé dans cette habitation plusieurs squelettes de femmes portant des bagues, des bracelets et des colliers d’or qui furent envoyés a musée de Paris.)

See Breton, Ernest. 1855. Pompeia, decrite et dessine : Seconde édition. Paris, Baudry, p. 342.

See Breton, Ernest. 1855. Pompeia, decrite et dessine : Troisième édition. Paris, Guerin, p. 503.

According to PPM –

Room J (Zanella Room 36) was already visible in the last years of the 1930’s and therefore, had, unlike other rooms not yet excavated, an identification with a letter of the Latin alphabet.

It is a large triclinium placed under the terrace in a panoramic position, open towards the south and with the walls in opera incerta restored with inserts in opera laterizia, then painted in IV Style with a decorative scheme with paratactic partitions, not rebuildable for the incompleteness of the plaster: the white background was also taken up into the vault where some traces of the squares with large rectangles remain.

(Ambiente J: era già visibile negli scorsi anni ’30 e pertanto ebbe, diversamente dagli altri ambienti non ancora scavati, una identificazione con lettera dell’alfabeto latino.  Si tratta di un grande triclinio posto sotto la terrazza in posizione panoramica, aperto verso S e con le pareti in opera incerta restaurate con inserti in opera laterizia, dipinto poi in IV Style con uno schema decorativo a partizioni paratattiche, non ricostruibile per la lacunosità dell’intonaco: il fondo bianco era ripreso anche nella volta dove rimane qualche traccia delle riquadrature a grandi rettangoli.)

See Carratelli, G. P., 1990-2003. Pompei: Pitture e Mosaici. Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, (p.55, no.53).

VIII.2.A, on left of plan. Lower level 1, with rooms A to F on west side of room 36 (PPM: J) and cryptoporticus.

Plan courtesy of Sandra Zanella.

VIII.2.A Pompeii. May 2018.

Area on west side of Casa di Championnet I, this would appear to be room D, looking west from VIII.2.1. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

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