[Rarebooks] fs: Ancient Roman Silver

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

Maiuri, Amedeo. LA CASA DEL MENANDRO E IL SUO TESORO DE ARGENTERIA.

Rome; La Libreria dello Stato: [1933]. Limited to 480 sets.

An important study of the home, and the silver, of the Pompeian poet 
Menandro. Amedeo Maiuri [1886-1963] has been described as one of the most 
dynamic and controversial archeologists to oversee the excavations in 
Pompeii. He was one of the first to employ a rigorously systematic and 
scientific approach, instead of viewing the ruins as a treasure heap to be 
plundered; unfortunately many of his excavations suffered from 
under-funding and inadequate tools, and his legacy remains mixed. There is 
no controversy, however, about the importance of the silver hoard that was 
uncovered in the basement of the Casa del Menandro in 1930.

"In the cellar, wrapped up in textiles and placed in the bottom of a wooden 
chest, were 118 pieces of silver plate, of varying ages and styles... a 
separate box placed on top of the silverware contained 20 pieces of 
jewellery made of gold and precious stones, along with some gold wire and 
46 coins..." writes John Tamm in his review of the book "The Insula of the 
Menander at Pompeii. Vol. IV: The Silver Treasure" by Kenneth Painter (2001).

"As Painter rightly notes", Tamm continues, "the importance of this 
treasure lies not only in the artifacts, but also in the fact that they 
were properly excavated, a statement that cannot be made for the other 
major find from the area, the Boscoreale treasure. ...Just as this treasure 
has long been of prime importance for the Roman silverware specialist, so 
too has been Amedeo Maiuri's detailed publication, 'La Casa del Menandro e 
il suo tesoro di argenteria'. It will doubtless remain important, 
especially in light of its thorough art-historical discussions and copious 
illustrations, but a present-day reader, assuming s/he could even find a 
copy of the book, would have to treat it with caution. In light of 
subsequent research and changes in emphasis, various aspects of Maiuri's 
work need re-evaluation, if not thorough revision".

Well, we can supply a copy of this difficult-to-find book right here; we 
leave the revision to others... Hardcover. 2 volumes, rebound as one. 
9.5"x12", 508 pages with 189 b/w illustrations, plus 2 folding plans, 14 
color and 49 b/w plates; rebound bound in marbled boards with a leather 
spine, raised bands and gilt title; a little light spotting on the 
endpapers, covers with some slight rubbing; edges re-trimmed, but still 
with nice wide margins; a very nice copy. [05474] $1,250.00

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