Pluteus

A. Karivieri & R. Forsell

Pluteus
The fountain in front of tricliniumo stands on a low garden wall. This pluteus was introduced in the intercolumnia. Only the middle intercolumnium in the west was kept open as an entrance towards the garden. Imprints in the plaster coat of several of the columns witness that the height of the pluteus was changed at the same time as the columns changed colour. The earlier pluteus, built against red columns, was replaced (except in front of tricliniumo) by a higher one belonging to the later phase when the lower parts of the columns were painted yellow. This last pluteus was painted red on its garden side, whereas the portico-side was black with yellow accents (diagonal fence-pattern).