The Treasures of Pompeii

This collection references the beautiful artworks and artefacts uncovered during the excavation of the Italian city of Pompeii, and most especially, the preserved remains of a helpless chained guard dog. Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, covering the city in volcanic ash and preserving a unique snapshot of Roman life. From the intricate stone mosaics and hand-painted frescoes to the ancient moulded coins and figurative jewellery, the beauty and symbolism of the Roman arts are astounding. While ruthless and barbaric in a number of ways, their creativity holds a delicacy and complexity which is rarely found in the modern world. The exquisite Roman Lod Mosaic uncovered in Israel is also referenced in this collection, alongside the architecture and artworks of ancient Rome and the written accounts of Pliny the Younger.