Pompeii. Household shrines to the domestic gods. Regions II, III and IV.
For some of these the actual purpose is unknown.
The individual locations identified on each item may contain further photos and details, you can see these by looking at the pompeiiinpictures pages in question.
Back to household shrines list
Region II.
II.1.1/13 Pompeii.
Niche in south-east corner of bar-room.
II.1.1 Pompeii. 1917. Entrance when first excavated, with niche lararium in rear corner of bar.
See
Spinazzola in Notizie degli Scavi di
Antichità, 1917, (p.252, fig.5)
II.1.1 Pompeii. December 2006. Counter and east wall.
In the south-east corner there was a niche of a lararium to Venus which is no longer visible.
According to Boyce, the arched niche (h.0.28, w.0.35, d.0.20, h. above floor 1.50) on the east wall had a painted blue border.
In front of it stood a small table (0.48 by 0.17) decorated with metopes.
Nothing was found in the niche, but when the soil under the niche was investigated, fragments of a pseudo-alabaster statuette of Venus was found.
It was of very rough workmanship but had been gilded originally.
In front of the image of the goddess stood a small altar of terracotta.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p. 30, no. 61)
Boyce gives a reference to Not. Scavi 1917, 251, with a photograph of the statuette, on p. 253.
II.1.1 Pompeii. 1917.
Pseudo-alabaster statuette of Venus found in fragments below the lararium niche.
It was of very rough workmanship but had been gilded originally.
See Notizie degli Scavi di Antichità, 1917,
p. 251-3, fig. 6.
Painting, on south wall of kitchen, rear of II.1.1.
II.1.1/13 Pompeii. December 2018.
Looking towards east wall of kitchen, and south wall with remains of painted decoration. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.1.1/13 Pompeii. December 2018.
Detail of remaining plaster from south wall of kitchen. Photo
courtesy of Aude Durand.
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari
in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.161, no.31).
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den
Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.264, L38,).
![II.1.1/13 Pompeii. Painting, on south wall of kitchen
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.161, no.31)
According to PPM –
“South wall above the brick bench. The walls of the kitchen in opus incertum were covered in rough plaster with a special layer of smooth white plaster applied on top for the painting of the Lares.
These appear, as usual, in a symmetrical group with the outer hand raised to pour the wine from the rhyton into the bucket held in the other lowered hand.
Between the Lares, the altar was seen with a double-handled tabula with the dedication “Felix Laribus/con[se] e[rat] votum (CIL IV 9887).
Above the scene a many coloured wreath hung with the ends hanging down the sides.
Next to the Lar on the right there is a pig’s head: under the Lares you can see the remains of the serpent, and a ham (?).”
See Carratelli, G. P., 1990-2003. Pompei: Pitture e Mosaici. III. Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, p. 3 (no.4).](Pompeii%20Household%20Shrines%20p4_files/image007.jpg)
II.1.1/13 Pompeii. Painting, on south wall of kitchen
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.161, no.31)
According to PPM –
“South wall above the brick bench. The walls of the kitchen in opus incertum were covered in rough plaster with a special layer of smooth white plaster applied on top for the painting of the Lares.
These appear, as usual, in a symmetrical group with the outer hand raised to pour the wine from the rhyton into the bucket held in the other lowered hand.
Between the Lares, the altar was seen with a double-handled tabula with the dedication “Felix Laribus/con[se] e[rat] votum (CIL IV 9887).
Above the scene a many coloured wreath hung with the ends hanging down the sides.
Next to the Lar on the right there is a pig’s head: under the Lares you can see the remains of the serpent, and a ham (?).”
See Carratelli, G. P., 1990-2003. Pompei:
Pitture e Mosaici. III. Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, p. 3
(no.4).
II.1.9 Pompeii.
Painting with pseudo-aedicula lararium niche, east wall of garden area.
II.1.9 Pompeii. December 2018.
Courtyard garden, looking towards east wall from entrance doorway. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.1.9 Pompeii. December 2018.
Niche lararium, with stucco altar and stucco serpent. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p.265, L39, taf.29.4).
According to Giacobello, this is a pseudo-aedicula lararium.
II.2.1 Pompeii.
Arched niche in south wall, no trace
remains.
II.2.1 Pompeii. December 2004. Looking across counter to south wall and rear room.
According to Boyce –
on the south wall was an arched niche (h.0.35, w.0.46, d.0.30, h. above floor 1.40) coated with red stucco, the same as covered the walls of the room. The niche was outlined in yellow.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.30, no. 62, location given as II.v.1)
Niche in east wall.
II.2.1 Pompeii. December 2018. Niche set in east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
No mention by Boyce.
II.2.3 Pompeii.
Square niche in east wall.
II.2.3 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking through entrance doorway towards east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.2.3 Pompeii. October 2017. Looking towards
the east wall.
Foto Taylor Lauritsen,
ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
II.2.3 Pompeii. October 2017. Niche on east
wall.
Foto Taylor Lauritsen,
ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
II.2.3 Pompeii. December 2018. Detail of east wall niche. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
According to Boyce –
In the east wall is a square nice (0.37
square, d.0.25, h. above floor 1.30) with heavy projecting ledge.
Its inside walls are white bordered in red,
and around the top of them runs a stucco cornice with an ovolo in relief.
A similar cornice ran around three sides of
the niche on the wall outside to judge from the one side where the plaster is
preserved.
On the edge of the projecting shelf was a
graffito – OLIVA CONDITA XVII K . NOVEMBRES
(Boyce notes that this graffito is discussed
by Della Corte in Casa e Abitanti, in connection with No. 494).
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome: MAAR 14. (P.30, No.63).
II.3.3 Pompeii.
Painted wall with niche, south wall of peristyle.
II.3.3 Pompeii.
December 2018. Looking east along painted south wall of garden area. Photo
courtesy of Aude Durand.
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani:
Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni,
(p.261, no.V24)
Room 11, west panel
of south wall of peristyle with wall painting of fountain with garden, mask and
birds. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.
II.3.3 Pompeii. December 2018. Room 11, niche in west panel
on south wall of peristyle. Photo
courtesy of Aude Durand.
Sacrarium, room 17.
II.3.3 Pompeii. December 2018.
Doorway to room 17, in south-east corner of garden. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.3.3 Pompeii. December 2018.
Looking east through doorway into sacrarium, room 17. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.3.3 Pompeii. December 2018. Objects in sacrarium. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.3.3 Pompeii. December 2018. Structure near east wall in sacrarium. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
Altar against north wall, room 18.
II.3.3 Pompeii. May 2016. Looking towards doorway to room 18. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.
II.3.3 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 18, altar against north wall.
Niche on east wall of room on west side of peristyle.
II.3.3 Pompeii. May 2016. Room 16, east wall with niche. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.
II.3.6 Pompeii.
Sacrarium.
II.3.6 Pompeii. March 2009. Sacellum. Remains of aedicula lararium built against the north wall with altar below.
II.3.6 Pompeii. 1959.
Sacellum. Remains of aedicula lararium built against the north wall with altar below. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.
Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.
J59f0455
Niche, north wall of room 2.
II.3.6 Pompeii.
March 2009. Square niche in room open to garden. This contained a
statue of Venus.
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani:
Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni,
(p.289, no.C8)
II.3.6 Pompeii. March 2009.
White marble statue of Venus, still with traces of red colouring. Found in 1953.
SAP inventory number: 9926.
Villa of Julia Felix, Pompeii (II.4.3/6/10/12).
Sacrarium.
II.4.6 Pompeii. December 2006. Niches in pergola on east side of garden, looking south.
The south wall, in the distance, would have been where the under-mentioned sacrarium was found.
On the 15th of June 1755 (PAH I, 1, 21, add. 98), it was reported that a small room was discovered in the south wall of the garden.
The sacrarium was thought to be dedicated to Egyptian deities.
This had been excavated on 13th June.
The room was completely painted and included paintings of Isis, Serapis, Anubis and Fortuna.
In the south wall was an altar of white marble.
Also found in this room was the bronze tripod supported by ithyphallic satyrs.
Several other smaller items in gold, bronze and ivory were also found.
See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi, (p. 17 and note 43).
II.4.6 Pompeii. May 2024. Looking north from south end of niches in garden area. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.
II.4.6 Pompeii. Found in the sacrarium 15th June 1755.
Bronze brazier tripod supported by three ithyphallic satyrs as legs.
Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 27874.
II.4.6 Pompeii. 2016/2017.
Information card on Isiac Niche. Photo
courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.
II.4.6 Pompeii. 1807. Engraving of the sacrarium.
According to Boyce, on three walls of a small sacellum-like room with vaulted ceiling, were sacred paintings.
These were done on a white background above a dado filled with plants.
In the centre, was Isis seated upon a throne.
On her left stood Anubis, wearing a dark garment and sandals, his head turned towards Isis.
On the left side wall were poorly preserved figures, a woman who seemed to be rolling a globe on the floor, and a male figure holding a cornucopia.
On the right of Isis in the centre, stood a poorly preserved figure holding a staff in right, and a cornucopia in the left hand.
On the right-side wall stood a female figure, holding in her right hand, a shallow dish with eggs and fruit, which she is offering to a serpent.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.95, no.471)
Piranesi described it as “Niche dans le temple d’Isis a Pompeia”.
Fröhlich attributed it to this house and comments that Piranesi and Helbig contradict each other on some points.
This sacrarium was taken to the Museum at Portici and reconstructed there, and then transferred to the National Museum.
By around 1885, it had faded and perished apart from the lower portion showing the serpents.
In Naples Archaeological Museum it was inventory number 9693.
See Pagano, M. and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio
sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno
di Napoli. Naples:
Nicola Longobardi. (p.17 and note 47).
See Piranesi F., 1807. Antiquités de la Grande Grèce, aujourd'hui royaume de Naples. Paris:
Etablissement des Beaux-Arts. (Plate 1).
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern.
(L40, p. 265, Taf 30,1).
See Helbig, W., 1868. Wandgemälde der vom Vesuv verschütteten Städte Campaniens. Leipzig:
Breitkopf und Härtel. (No. 79).
See Parslow, C.C. (1998). Rediscovering Antiquity: Karl Weber and the Excavation of Herculaneum, Pompeii and Stabiae. UK, Cambridge UP (p.110, & p.345, notes 8 & 9)
II.4.6 Pompeii. 1957.
Part of the sacrarium, with serpents and plants. Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 9693. Photo by Stanley A. Jashemski.
Source: The Wilhelmina and Stanley A. Jashemski archive in the University of Maryland Library, Special Collections (See collection page) and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial License v.4. See Licence and use details.
J57f0516
II.4.6 Pompeii. 2016/2017.
Reconstructed niche from sacrarium. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.
II.4.6 Pompeii. 2016/2017.
Left-hand side of niche from sacrarium.
Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.
II.4.6 Pompeii. June 2016. Reconstruction of niche from sacrarium, left-hand side.
Photograph © Parco Archeologico di Pompei.
II.4.6 Pompeii. June 2016. Reconstruction of niche from sacrarium, looking towards rear.
According to Boyce’s description –
Piranesi’s print (here shown on the rear wall) is inaccurate in that Isis should be seated upon a throne but is standing in the centre.
See Boyce G. K.,
1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii.
Rome: MAAR 14. (p.95, no.471)
Photograph © Parco Archeologico di Pompei.
II.4.6 Pompeii. 2016/2017
Right-hand side of niche from
sacrarium. Photo courtesy of
Giuseppe Ciaramella.
II.4.6 Pompeii. June 2016. Reconstruction of niche from sacrarium, right-hand side.
Photograph © Parco Archeologico di Pompei.
Lararium painting – exact location unknown.
VII.6.38 or II.4.3/6 Pompeii.
Lararium painting (h.1.21, w.1.78) described by Boyce as being found in the Villa of Julia Felix, but exact location unknown.
He quoted the references Helbig 56: PAH I, i, 133: I. ii. 143 (June 6, 1761): Antichità di Ercolano, Pitture IV, 65, and pl.13.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.95, no.470).
According to Fröhlich - this was found in Reg. VII or VIII.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (L98, T: 10,2).
Pagano and Prisciandaro show this as being from VII.6.38.
See Pagano, M., and Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi. (p.39).
VII.6.38 Pompeii. May 2010. Lararium painting
from the kitchen.
The upper part has an offering scene. A round altar is in the centre.
The offering Genius has a small camillus
helping on his right.
On the other side of the altar is the tibicen
with a popa assisting with a small pig.
The scene is flanked on either side by a
large lar. Above the scene are three
garlands.
The lower part has two serpents, in plants,
approaching a second, round altar, one from either side.
Fröhlich says this was found in Reg. VII or
VIII.
See Fröhlich, T., 1991. Lararien und
Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (p. 292, L98, T: 10,2).
Pagano and Prisciandaro show this as being
from VII.6.38.
See Pagano, M., and
Prisciandaro, R., 2006. Studio sulle
provenienze degli oggetti rinvenuti negli scavi borbonici del regno di
Napoli. Naples: Nicola Longobardi. (p.39).
Now in Naples Archaeological Museum.
Inventory number: 8905.
VII.6.38 Pompeii.
Pre-1843. Drawing by Abbate of the Lararium painting in the kitchen.
Now
in Naples Archaeological Museum, inventory number 8905.
See Raccolta de più
interessante Dipinture e di più belle Musaici rinvenuti negli Scavi di
Ercolano, di Pompei, e di Stabia. 1843. Napoli.
II.8.5 Pompeii.
Room on north side of corridor with three niches.
II.8.5 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking south in first room on north side of corridor.
On the right, in the south-west corner, is a recess/niche containing three other niches. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.8.5 Pompeii. December 2018.
Three niches in south-west corner of first room on north side of corridor. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.8.5 Pompeii. December 2018.
Detail of the niche on west wall in first room on north side of corridor. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
Niche in west wall of kitchen area.
II.8.5 Pompeii. December 2018. Bench and hearth in second room on north side of corridor. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.8.6 Pompeii.
Aedicula lararium against east wall of garden area.
II.8.6 Pompeii. December 2018.
Looking towards Lararium against east wall. Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.9.1 Pompeii.
Painting, west wall of room 9.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2007. Remains of wall painting of man with arm raised.
Is this the picture Frohlich refers to as a very faded painting on the west wall of room 9?
See Fröhlich, T., 1991, Lararien und Fassadenbilder in den Vesuvstädten. Mainz: von Zabern. (L41b: p.266).
According to Giacobello, a painted lararium was seen on the west wall of room 9, in the centre of white wall plaster.
A serpent was coiled around an altar, the Genius assisted by a camillo was sacrificing.
The Lares were at the sides of this scene.
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni. (p.162 no.32).
Painted pillar in corridor on north side of triclinium.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2007.
Painting of Priapus on the west face of
column at the north side of the triclinium 8.
II.9.1 Pompeii.
December 2018. Triclinium 8.
Detail
of painting of Priapus on the west face of column. Photo courtesy of Aude
Durand.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2018. Looking
towards south side of pillar across summer triclinium 8. Photo courtesy of Aude
Durand.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2007.
Painting of Bacchus on south face of column
on the north side of the triclinium 8.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2007.
Painting of black bird and other subject on
east side of column on the north side of the triclinium 8.
Looking towards entrance doorway.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2018.
Painting of black bird and other subject on
east side of column on the north side of the triclinium 8.
Looking towards entrance doorway. Photo
courtesy of Aude Durand.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2007.
Painting of Horn of Plenty on north side of
column on the north side of the triclinium 8.
II.9.1 Pompeii. December 2018.
Detail of Horn of Plenty on north side of
column on the north side of the triclinium 8.
Photo courtesy of Aude Durand.
Region III.
III.2.1 Pompeii.
Arched niche, south wall of kitchen above hearth.
III.2.1 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, looking towards the south-east corner and south wall with remains of hearth/bench.
III.2.1 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 11, niche on south wall.
According to Boyce, this arched niche (h.0.55, w.0.60, d.0.17, h. above floor 1.10) is above the hearth.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus
of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome:
MAAR 14. (p. 30, no. 64).
See Giacobello,
F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito
domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.162, no.33)
Niche, west wall of peristyle.
III.2.1 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 20, west wall of summer triclinium.
An arched niche and a square niche are either side of window or hatch.
III.2.1 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 20, arched niche in west wall of summer triclinium.
See Giacobello,
F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico.
Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.263, no.V27)
III.4.1 Pompeii.
Rectangular niche in west wall.
III.4.1 Pompeii. October 2017. Looking towards niche in north-west corner, and remains of west wall of workshop.
Foto Taylor
Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.
III.4.1 Pompeii. December 2005. Entrance, looking towards north-west corner with niche.
III.4.1 Pompeii. March 2009. West wall, with niche.
The high zoccolo was painted black. Originally the wall would have been decorated with four painted panels (just visible).
III.4.1 Pompeii. March 2009. Rectangular niche on west wall, with yellow and blue walls inside the niche.
According to Boyce –
In the west wall is a rectangular niche (h.0.58, w.0.34, d.0.25, h. above floor 1.20) with an aedicula façade painted on the wall around it.
White pilasters supported a white architrave and a blue pediment which was ornamented with a white disc in the centre and surrounded by white cornices.
The side walls within the niche were yellow, the back wall was blue, and the corners white.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus
of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome:
MAAR 14. (p.30, No.65, Pl.1, 6)
III.4.3 Pompeii.
Niche in kitchen, west or east wall.
III.4.3 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 6, kitchen and latrine. West wall.
According to Boyce –
In the west wall of the kitchen is a square niche, (0.40 square, depth 0.20, height above the floor 1.60).
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14, (p.30, no 66).
See Giacobello, F., 2008. Larari Pompeiani: Iconografia e culto dei Lari in ambito domestico. Milano: LED Edizioni, (p.162, no.34)
III.4.3 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 6, kitchen and latrine. Niche on east wall.
III.7.5 Pompeii.
Niche with pediment in west wall.
III.7.5 Pompeii. August 2021.
Wide threshold of doorway in centre, under new wall, on north side of Via dell'Abbondanza.
A niche with a pediment can now be seen, set into the west wall.
The narrow threshold of III.7.4 is on the left. Photo courtesy of Robert Hanson.
III.7.5 Pompeii. May 2024. Detail of niche with pediment set into west wall. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.
III.7.5 Pompeii. May 2024. Detail of niche with pediment set into west wall. Photo courtesy of Klaus Heese.
Region IV.
IV.2.e Pompeii.
Lararium niche on west wall of shop-room.
IV.2.e Pompeii.
May 2006. Entrance.
According to Liselotte Eschebach, there was a Lararium inside to the left.
She suggested this was Boyce number 70. Boyce simply described a niche in the west wall for the domestic gods.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14. (p.31, no. 70).
See Eschebach, L., 1993. Gebäudeverzeichnis und Stadtplan der antiken Stadt Pompeji. Köln: Böhlau. (p.118, IV.2.5).
IV.2.e Pompeii? (described on card as from IV.2.4, Via di Nola). March 2024.
Lararium
niche with depiction of Bacchus. Photo courtesy of
Giuseppe Ciaramella.
On display in exhibition in Palaestra
entitled – “L’altra Pompei, vite comuni all’ombra del Vesuvio”.
According to Boyce –
“IV.2 – Taberna in the south-east corner of the insula.
This shop has two rooms, of which that on the west has, in the west wall, a niche for the domestic gods.”
He quotes reference: Not. Scavi, 1905, 279.
See Boyce G. K., 1937. Corpus of the Lararia of Pompeii. Rome: MAAR 14, (p.31, no.70).
According to Sogliano, the walls of the workshop were coated with rough plaster, and offered nothing of interest except the niche of the domestic gods in the west wall.
Many items that were discovered in the workshop are listed in NdS, pages 279-80.
Some of these items showing signs of burning from the fire that must have developed here.
See Notizie
degli Scavi di Antichità, 1905 (p.279-80).
Back to household shrines list