[Rarebooks] FS: Pompeii's House of Meander -1933 limited ed.

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

TITLE: “La Casa del Menandro e il suo Tesoro de Argenteria”

By Amedeo Maiuri.
Published in Rome by La Libreria dello Stato in 1933.
Limited to 480 copies.

DISCUSSION: An important study of the frescoes, architecture, and silver
of a grand Pompeian villa known as 'The House of Menander'. Built in the
first century B.C., and named after a well-preserved fresco of the ancient
Greek poet found there, little is known of the actual owner of the house,
though it seems likely that he was either a wealthy Pompeian merchant, or
perhaps a rich Roman who built a seaside villa in the popular resort town.

The author of this important study, 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".

DESCRIPTION: Hardcover. 2 volumes, rebound as one. 9.5"x12", 508 pages
with 189 black & white illustrations, plus 2 folding plans, 14 color and
49 black & white plates; rebound bound in marbled boards with a leather
spine, raised bands and gilt title.

CONDITION NOTES: A little light spotting on the endpapers, covers with
some slight rubbing; edges re-trimmed, but still clean with nice wide
margins and a tight binding.

PRICE:  $1,250 -

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