A Complete Guide to the Small Bronzes and Gems in the Naples Museum, According to the New Arrangement Reprinted From the Completed Handbook Classic Reprint

Explore a vast trove of small bronzes from Pompeii and Herculaneum, a cornerstone of the Naples Museum.

This edition highlights a remarkable collection of small bronzes—thirteen thousand strong—mostly unearthed in ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum. It offers a window into the everyday life of Roman citizens, from practical kitchen and household items to ornate table and seating pieces. The artistry shines in the form and detail, revealing a taste for ornament that many pieces attribute to Greek artists. The contrast between these refined works and modern mass-produced chattels invites reflection on ancient taste, craftsmanship, and daily life.

Readers will encounter a broad range of objects, including furniture, braziers, baths, candelabra, weights and measures, and a rich selection of musical instruments and personal adornments. The descriptions connect items to their original contexts—where they stood, how they were used, and what they signified in a Roman home or public space.

• Domestic bronzes that illuminate daily life, from kitchen gear to modest furniture and vessels.
• Notable examples of cooling, heating, and cooking devices, such as braziers, stoves, and a triclinium designed for a single diner.
• Precise details on weights, measures, and metal fittings, offering a tangible sense of Roman trade and daily transactions.
• Musical instruments and luxury accessories that reveal leisure, spectacle, and personal care in ancient times.

Ideal for readers who enjoy museum guides, ancient art, and everyday objects from antiquity, this volume helps you visualize life in a Roman city through its small bronzes and gems.