The House of the Faun

[endlessrarities]

Writers' Group tonight, so I'm going to devote tonight's post to some more gratuitous Roman stuff from Pompeii. 

It's the turn of the House of the Faun tonight, so called because it features a little bronze statue of a faun in its courtyard:-

The faun is a replica - the original is in Naples museum.  Also represented here by a replica is the famous 'Alexander' mosaic, which features Alexander the Great battling the Persian King Darius.  Here's the original, which again has been relocated to Naples Archaeological Museum:-


 

And a detail, just to show how impressive the workmanship is:-

 

Okay, so sometimes Roman art can be rather good!  I'd certainly have this one in my house!!

In case you're wondering if there's anything original left at the site, then I'm pleased to report that there are some in situ frescoes still remaining.  Like this one:-
 

 

There were several more mosaics recovered from this house which have also - yes, you've guessed it! - been now been removed to Naples Museum, and one of them is so wonderful that I'll have to feature it tomorrow! 

And now, I'd better go!!

Comments

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

It's a shame they're not in situ, but I'm guessing they'd deterioate rather quickly if they weren't in the museum?

What are you writing at the moment?

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

Stopped in to make sure I didn't miss a garden post. I did catch the lizard post this weekend. I love your most recent as well. You take me to the most amazing places.

[slysidonia.livejournal.com]

I am enjoying your post! I love classical Rome!

[technophobe1975.livejournal.com]

The amount of detail on the mosaic is amazing...

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I love the eyes in that mosaic. And, funnily enough, there was a copy of the dancing faun in the lobby of the hotel I stayed in (I guess they're everywhere), so that was my best chance for a close up look at it.

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

And now I see why you were less than impressed with Neil Oliver's 'provincial' mosaic a few weeks back... Wow.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Now -- do you think those chariot horses could pull iron-clad plows through heavy northern soils in that getup? I don't think so either.