| Carved limestone fragments from the villa. These pieces
were found in close proximity to each other and were probably associated
architecturally. The example on the left has the same body decoration
as that on the right, an overlapping pattern of leaves. However,
it differs in that it has a scroll on the side. One suggestion is
that it is a volute from a column capital, though this is highly speculative.
The example on the right is probably part of a finial, a decorative feature
applied to the top of buildings and the like. Given that the fragments
were found in the immediate vicinity of the main doorway to the villa,
it is tempting to speculate that they may have formed part of the embellishment
to the entrance porch/steps. The stone in both cases is a soft limestone
(Barnack) and there is evidence of red paint in the indentations which
suggests that they were painted red when in-situ. |
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