WITH 17 FOLIO CHROMOLITHOGRAPHS OF THE DOMUS VETTIORUM IN POMPEII

(POMPEII). Domus Vettiorum. La Nouvelle Maison de Pompei. Naples: Niccolini, 1898. Folio (14-1/2 by 18-1/2 inches), original pictorial boards rebacked in black morocco. $950.

Late 19th-century album of the decorations of the then-recently discovered Domus Vettiorum (House of the Vettii) in Pompeii, with 17 lovely folio chromolithographs.

A lovely set of chromolithographed plates depicting wall ornamentation from the then-recently excavated House of the Vettii in Pompeii. The house is named for its owners, two successful freedmen, Aulus Vettius Conviva and Aulus Vettius Restitutus. The excavation of the house preserved almost all of the wall frescos, which were completed following the earthquake of 62 AD (the more famous eruption that engulfed the town occurred in 79 AD). Architect Antonio Niccolini (1772-1850) and his sons Fausto and Felice produced this extensive work, and the color printing is vivid and accurate. Text in French.

Without one tissue guard, some foxing to several plates. Nicely rebacked, preserving the bright pictorial boards. An exceptionally good copy.