The
Villa of the Figured Capitals or the Villa of the Mosaic Columns
derives its name from the amazing mosaic that covers several columns
discovered here. Unfortunately, they were taken to the
Historical
Museum in Naples. The Villa of the Figured Capitals is located behind the
bars and shops that stand along the street. In ancient times,
thousands of peasants, merchants and ordinary citizens passed along
this street. Access to the luxury mansion leads through two
entrances (A) and (B) between commercial buildings.
Entrance
(A) leads through a long walkway to the open garden (C). Here is a
small nympheum (D) (the source where the mythical nymphs, the
goddesses of water, lived) and a gazebo on four mosaic columns in
whose honor the whole house was named. On the northwestern side of
this garden is a wide entrance that gave access to a second open
area. A second narrow long corridor led here (B). Here stood the
Lararium (E) of the house. It was the altar of the home spirit, patron of
the home and family. All guests had to sacrifice to the patron gods
of the manor of the mansion at the entrance to the house. Behind the
colonnade in the north is the entrance to the main living quarters
of the Villa of the Figured Capitals.
The columns were completely encrusted with mosaics, floral patterns and small decorative figures. After their discovery, the columns were subsequently removed and can now be seen in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. In the same room for display in the museum there are also other finds from the villa, including an excellent mosaic of a boxer or a wrestler.
During
the excavations a remarkable example of glassware was found - the
“blue vase”. Imitating the shape of an amphora, a two-layer glass
vase with a dark blue background and an engraved opaque white layer
depicting scenes from the god Dionysus.
The condition of the
overal Villa of the Figured Capitals is poor. Most of the building
is in a dilapidated form. The Villa of the Figured Capitals is the
subject of a research project at the University of San Francisco.
The Via Consolare project covers studies of the chronology and the
stratigraphic record of the surroundings of the villa, together with
the study of Insula or Quarters VII, 6.