Next to the
Egyptian Room is the Pompeiian Room, one
of the finest examples of Pompeiian architecture in
the United States. Truly does it take us back to the
time of the Romans, two thousand years ago, and we
indeed feel, on entering this room that we are
verily on the threshold of one of the noble Roman
palaces of which we know so little other than that
which is told us by the ruins that are left of the
Roman Villas and the fragments of Roman architecture
which we find throughout the museums of Europe.
This room is one of the purest examples of the Hellenic
art as exemplified by the excavated remains from the
varied cities. A majestic vase in statuary marble, a
replica of a recently discovered fragment in
Herculaneum stands at the further end of this room.
This vase rests on a pedestal rising from a large
water basin, the whole forming a fountain of great
purity of design and grace.
The furniture is in exact duplication of old Pompeiian
pieces and there is no attempt whatever at
originality in the treatment of this room other than
the fact that the artists have confined themselves
strictly to reproducing the effect of a true
Pompeiian room in every detail. The walls are in red
with elaborate Pompeiian Arabesque ornaments
trellising the same. The lower part of the room, or
dado, is in Verde Antique marble. The candelabrum
are correct reproductions of the old Pompeiian
Standards. The floor is of marble. The splashing of
the limpid waters from the handsome Pompeiian
fountain perfects this old time scene. The ceiling
is richly gilded, illuminated and picked out in
various stones of rich color. Pompeiian ornaments in
all their gorgeousness practically cover this
ceiling, making an effect that is superb over all.
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