VII.2.18 Pompeii. Domus C. Vibi or House of C. Vibius.

Linked to VII.2.19 and VII.2.42. Excavated 1844 and 1867.

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VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 5, ala on east side of atrium.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 5, east wall of ala.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 1, atrium. Looking west across site of impluvium, to rooms 6, 7, 8 and 9.

According to BdI –

“Viene quindi un’altra camera e l’ala destra; al pilastro fra queste due porte era collocata la bellissima cassa di bronzo, trasportata adesso nel Museo di Napoli, la cui descrizione daremo fra breve……..” (p.45).

“La cassa stessa (alta 0.64m; larga 1,5; prof. 0.59), molto bene conservata, sta sopra quattro piedi grossi, guarniti, come tutti i lati (eccettuata la faccia posteriore addossata alla parete), con molti chiodi. Il suo coperchio, parimente chiodato, ha su ciascuno dei due lati un semplice e piccolo, ma fermissimo manico per alzarlo, sotto il quale trovasi la lingua larga perforata per uso della chiave, e sopra il suo orlo di fronte un terzo manico, più elegante e più largo, ma non meno forte, formato da due foglie.

Il centro della parte di prospetto del coperchio è ornato della testa in alto rilievo di un leone o di un tigre.

Riccamente ornata è anche la faccia della cassa medesima, la quale mostra una striscia larga, sormontata da un’altra più stretta e più bassa, ciascuna delle quali è divisa da molti bottoni in tre campi, dove sono sopramesse varie teste di bronzo in altissimo rilievo. Nella striscia inferiore se ne vede nel campo medio una maschere con lunghi capelli coronata da edera, negli altri ai fianchi due busti di putti alati, l’uno riccamente coronato da foglie d’uve, l’altro senza corona, ma portando attorno il collo una ghirlanda fatta di pampani ed uve: quelle due teste hanno molta rassomiglianza con quelle che si trovano sulle falere pubblicate ed illustrate, poco fa, dai ch. Rein (Mon. dell’Ist. VI, 41, 5. 6) e Jahn (Bonner Winckelm. Festprogramm, 1860).

Nella striscia superiore vediamo la testa di un verro (come quella sopramenzionata del leone o piuttosto della tigre probabilmente un apotropaion) fra due busti femminili, molto rassomiglianti l’uno all’altro, ma un poco diversi nella disposizione dei capelli e del chitone, ciascuno colla faretra sopra la spalla destra: forse debbono intendersi Diana ed Atalanta, e dunque il verro sarebbe il famoso di Calidone. Tutte queste decorazioni sono bene conservate e non male fatte; dentro nulla si rivenne.

(p.46-47)

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1868, (p.45-47).

(trans: “Then comes another room and the right ala, placed against the pillar between these two doors was the beautiful bronze money-box (arca), taken now to the Naples Museum, the description of which, we will give shortly………”(p.45).

The box itself (0.64 high; 1.5 wide; depth 0.59) and very well preserved, stands above four large feet and garnished, like all sides (except the rear face leaning against the wall) with many nails. Its lid, equally nailed, has on each of the two sides a simple and small, but very firm handle to raise it, under which is the wide long tongue perforated for the use of the key, and above its edge, a third handle more elegant and wider, but no less strong, formed by two leaves.

The middle of the elevated part of the lid is adorned with the head in high relief of a lion or tiger.

Richly decorated was also the face of the same money-box, which shows a wide strip, surmounted by another narrower and lower, each of which is divided by many buttons in three areas, where various bronze heads in very high relief are superimposed. In the lower strip we see in the middle area, a mask with long hair crowned with ivy, in the others on the sides are two busts of winged cupids, one richly crowned with grape leaves, the other without a crown, but carrying a garland made of vine-leaves and grapes around the neck: ………”

“In the upper strip we see the head of a boar (like the aforementioned one of the lion or rather of the tiger probably an apotropaion - a charm to ward off evil) between two female busts, very similar to each other, but a little different in the arrangement of the hair and the chiton, each with a quiver over the right shoulder: perhaps Diana and Atalanta might be intended, and therefore the boar would be the famous Calydonian boar. All these decorations are well preserved and well made; inside (the money-chest) nothing was found.(p.46-47)

See Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica (DAIR), 1868, (p.45-47).

VII.2.18 Pompeii. Arca, or strong box decorated with Cupids and Dionysiac figures.

On display in “L’altro MANN” exhibition, October 2023. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

According to the Naples Archaeological Museum description card –

“This arca was found in VII.2.18, the House of C. Vibio.”

According to their guide book (with a photo of the same chest (Inv. 73021), and a second one at its side but hardly visible) –

“The place of the safe (arca) was in the atrium on a base, where it was displayed to the guests of the house as a symbol of the family’s wealth (in the House of the Vettii there were two). The wooden structure of the chest was coated with bronze and iron laminae, and large studs concealed the heads of the nails. This particular chest is decorated with bronze appliques, including a boar, Diana and Erotes. In other specimens, the lock was sometimes guarded by figures of fierce animals such as lions and mastiffs.”

See De Caro, S., 1996. The National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Guide Artistiche, Electa Napoli, (p.220).

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023.

Cassaforte decorata con amorini e personaggi dionisiaci.

Description card for inv. 73021. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023.

Side of “arca”, storage/money-chest. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023.

Detail of side of “arca”, storage/money-chest. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023.

Detail of many nails decorating all sides of “arca”, storage/money-chest. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Detail of side and rear of “arca”, storage/money-chest. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Detail of rear of “arca”, storage/money-chest. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Detail of rear and other side of “arca”, storage/money-chest. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Detail of side and front of “arca”, storage/money-chest. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Detail of front of “arca”, storage/money-chest, which would appear to be the same as the Niccolini drawing below.

The figure to the left of the boar’s head is now missing. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

On display in “L’altro MANN” exhibition, October 2023.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Arca/strong box, detail from top and front of box. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

On display in “L’altro MANN” exhibition, October 2023.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Arca/strong box, detail from upper front of box. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023. Arca/strong box, detail of handle and upper front of box. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023.

Arca/strong box, detail from front of box –

(on left) winged cupid carrying a garland of vine leaves and grapes around the neck, and (on right) a mask with long hair crowned with ivy.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2023.

Arca/strong box, detail from front of box –

(on left) a mask with long hair crowned with ivy, and (on right) the head of a winged cupid richly crowned with grape leaves.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. 1895 lantern slide photo of bronze chest in Naples Museum.

Brooklyn Museum, William Henry Goodyear Collection, inv. S03i3129l01.

VII.2.18 Pompeii.

Painting by Niccolini of strong box/money chest, described by Niccolini as being from the house opposite Stabian Baths.

This would appear to be the same “arca” as found in VIII.4.12.

VIII.4.12 has mention of a strong box found against a wall in the peristyle/garden, and would be opposite the Stabian Baths.

According to Niccolini –

The bronze chest was made of iron covered by bronze, the decorations that adorned this chest were cast and finely chiselled.

It is now [1862] in the Museo Nazionale in the “salone de’ bronzi”.

See Niccolini F, 1862. Le case ed i monumenti di Pompei: Volume Secondo. Napoli, (Descrizione Generale, tav. XXXIII).

According to Espen B. Andersson [email]:

The money chest in this colour photo cannot be from VIII.4.12 because, there, the base has an iron hook on the top of the platform. 

This iron hook is not high enough to get into and secure the four legged chest. The legs lift it up too high. 

The actual chest can therefore not belong to this platform. The central iron hook or rod was always to keep a chest firmly fastened.

Seen against this background VII.2.18 is more likely. 

Our thanks to Espen B. Andersson, for pointing out this information on the cash chest.

Photo by Giorgio Sommer. Napoli - Museo Nazionale - Sala dei bronzi (mobilio e forzieri in bronzo; da Pompei).

The “arca”/money chest, centre left, would appear to be the one shown above, from VII.2.18, inv. 73021.

The one on the left, hardly visible, may be from VII.7.5, the House of Triptolemus, inv. 73020.

The one on the right, inv. 73022, from Pompeii, but location unknown.

Pompeii, found in unknown location. Money chest, now in Naples Archaeological Museum, inventory no. 730222.

Cassaforte in ferro con decorazioni in bronzo, fra cui appliques a testine di divinità disposte su di una fila, rinvenuta a Pompei, oggi nel Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (inv. 73022).

Photograph by Sommer, date before 1923.  Goodyear S03 06 01 024 image 3158

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

According to Milanese, in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples four arcae ferratae (money chests) are preserved:

Three safes are documented in the above photo [left to right], from around 1885, from the Sala dei Piccoli Bronzes made by the photographer Achille Mauri.

The safe with sacrifice to Jupiter [from VII.7.5], inv. 73020.

The safe [from VII.2.18] with Eros and Psyche, inv. 73021.

The safe with busts of deities [from Pompeii], inv. 73022.

The fourth safe from the House of the Vettii restored by the Central Institute for the Restoration was not discovered until after this photograph was taken.

See Milanese, A., 2009. Album museo. Immagini fotografiche ottocentesche del Museo Nazionale di Napoli, Napoli, pp. 156-161.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. Undated postcard by E. Ragozino number 1507 - Utensili domestici.

This also shows the three chests in Naples Museum with the chest from VII.2.18 in the centre.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. Drawing of two cash-chests found at Pompeii, and now in Naples Archaeological Museum.

According to de Longpérier –

“The top cash-chest was from VII.2.18 and found in the atrium on 22nd May 1867.

The lower cash-chest was found 29th May 1864 in the atrium of VII.7.5.”

See H. de Longpérier, Recherches sur les insignes de la questure et sur les récipients monétaires, RA n.s.18. Paris 1868, 58–72, p. 171, Pl. XX.

See https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.25639/page/n5/mode/2up

Our thanks to Espen B. Andersson, for pointing out this information on cash-chests.

See H. de Longpérier, Recherches sur les insignes de la questure et sur les récipients monétaires, RA n.s.18. Paris 1868, 58–72, p. 171, Pl. XX.

See https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.25639/page/n5/mode/2up

See Andersson E. B., The Economic Centre Of Pompeii Revealed in Archaeology and Economy in the Ancient World, vol.53 Heidelberg Propylaeum, 2022, pp. 159-172.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017.

Room 1, looking towards west wall of tablinum, on left, room 6, west ala, in centre, and doorway to room 7, on right.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

The site where the money-chest (arca) was found, would be against the pilaster between the doorway of room 6, in centre, and room 7, on right.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 6, ala, on west side of atrium. Looking west.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017.

Looking north-west across atrium towards doorways to rooms 7 & 8, on west side of atrium, on left.

Doorways to room 9, the entrance corridor/fauces, and room 2, on north side of atrium, are on right.

The upper floor dwelling (of VII.2.19) is visible above the rooms on the north side.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017. Room 7, on left, and room 8, in centre, doorways on west side of atrium.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Doorways to rooms 7 and 8 on west side of atrium.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 7, west wall of cubiculum, with possible line of staircase.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017. Room 7, west wall of cubiculum, and upper floor.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017.

Room 7, north wall of cubiculum in north-west corner, with entry for staircase from room 8.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 7, north wall of cubiculum with entry for staircase from room 8.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 7, north wall of cubiculum, with entry to room 8.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Doorway to room 8, staircase room.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 8, west wall with top of steps to upper floor.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017. Upper floor, detail of west wall above room 8.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017. Room 8, steps leading to upper floor.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 8, steps leading to upper floor.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 8, steps to upper floor.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 8, west wall and top of steps.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 8, north wall.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 8, large terracotta pot in south-east corner.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017.

North-west corner of atrium, doorway to room 8 on left, and room 9 on right.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Doorway to room 9, cubiculum, or porter’s room.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 9, west wall of cubiculum or porter’s room. 

This includes a blocked door that used to lead to a small room under the staircase of VII.2.19.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 9, north wall of cubiculum or porter’s room with window to Vicolo del Panettiere.

The upper north wall would have been the upper floor and belonged to a separate apartment.

The recess that can be seen would have been the latrine.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017.

Room 9, looking towards north wall, and upper floor belonging to separate dwelling at VII.2.19.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. October 2017. Looking north at west end of upper floor of separate dwelling, with latrine.

Foto Taylor Lauritsen, ERC Grant 681269 DÉCOR.

VII.2.18 Pompeii. March 2009. Room 9, upper floor apartment, latrine in north wall of upper floor.

According to Hobson, a total of 15 upper storey latrines have been identified in the city, including this one.

He says that these latrines would seem to have been placed near to the top of the staircase and would have been placed in narrow plastered niches with terracotta downpipes inserted into the walls to carry the waste product down into the cesspit. 

This latrine shows the slots in the sides of the niche where the wooden seat fitted, and the tapering, easily sluiced plaster below the seat.

See Hobson, B., 2009. Latrinae et foricae: Toilets in the Roman World. London; Duckworth. (p.75-6).

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