The first object that was recorded, in 1749, is a sculpted basket of fish made of marble from Turkey. It probably formed part of a small statue of a fisherman that once stood near a fountain in a garden.
Marble basket of fish found in 1749. W. 0.074, h. 0.119, d. 0.065. Photo: Neukom 2002, Taf. 16.
In later years some fragments of sculptures were found, including statuettes of a Silenus, an Erote, and a nymph, and a small relief of Fortuna. In the 19th cenbtury two bronze statuettes were found in the area, one of Mercurius holding a money pouch, the other perhaps of Spes (Hope) holding a flower in her left hand.
Bronze statuettes of Mercurius (h. 0.16) and perhaps Spes (h. without the base 0.10). Photo: Barbey et al. 1929, Pl. XI.
[18-Mar-2024]
