The Archeological Museum in Naples is full of treasures. We spent a few hours there on our first afternoon in the city.
Just about the first thing you see when entering the museum is the enormous head of a horse. It is the only part of an equestrian statue by Donatello to have been built. It was commissioned by King Alfonso V of Aragon and was originally designed to be placed in the upper part of the marble triumphal arch in Castel Nuovo (near the port). Work began in 1456 but was interrupted by the death of the sovereign (1458) and the death of the artist (1466)
From there various rooms beckon.
The Farnese collection of marble statues is quite something.
This one was enormous.
She has a striking face.
This one has amazing detail.
The pieces I liked best were from the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. I visited Pompeii 44 years ago and was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the excavated city. I have been back since and found it fascinating all over again.
The wall decorations would look great today.
This is a tray, decorated on both sides. I want one!
I’m sure I could find a spot for these too.
I love the small details of daily life. These beautiful glass items delighted me.
This piece melted in the heat of the erupting volcano.
There were ordinary household items like cake tins and urns, some highly decorated, scales and room heaters.
…and other things just for fun.
The next pieces were excavated from a villa.
The rooms of mosaics were a highlight for me. I feel a new hobby coming on.
Behind the mosaic rooms is a section that is a little risqué. These items were taken from the “entertainment” area of Pompeii.
The museum itself is stunning. The staircase up to the second floor is magestic as it the enormous room at the top of the stairs.
We didn’t see everything on offer, there is a huge Egyptian area that will have to wait until next time. There is only so much you can take in on one visit.