Atrium of the house of Sallust.

The compluvium also was ornamented with a row of triangular tiles called antefixes, on which a mask or some other object was moulded in relief. Below, lions' heads are placed along the cornice at intervals, forming spouts through which the water was discharged into the impluvium beneath. Part of this cornice, found in the house of which we speak, is well deserving our notice, because deserving it contains, within itself, specimens of three different epochs of art, at which we must suppose the house was first built, and subsequently repaired. It is made of a fine clay, with a lion's head moulded upon it, well designed, and carefully finished.

Part of the cornice of the Impluvium of the Atrium of the House of Sallust.

It is plain, therefore, that it was not meant to be stuccoed, or the labour bestowed in its execution would have been in great part wasted. At a later period it has been coated over with the finest stucco, and additional enrichments and mouldings have been introduced, yet without injury to the design or inferiority in the workmanship; indicating that at the time of its execution the original simplicity of art had given way to a more enriched and elaborate style of ornament, yet without any perceptible decay, either in the taste of the designer or the skill of the workman. Still later this elegant stucco cornice had been covered with a third coating of the coarsest materials, and of design and execution most barbarous, when it is considered how fine a model the artists had before their eyes. In the annexed section the three periods are distinguished by different shades. The original cornice is the darker, marked A; the second coating is left white; the third and last is faintly shaded. This was painted, which neither of the two earlier cornices appear to have been. In the restoration, the impluvium is surrounded with a mosaic border. This has disappeared, if ever there was one; but mosaics are frequently found in this situation, and it is therefore at all events an allowable liberty to place one here, in a house so distinguished for the richness and elegance of its decorations. Beside the impluvium stood a machine, now in the National Museum, for heating water, and at the same time warming the room if requisite. The high circular part, with the lid open, is a reservoir, communicating with the semicircular piece, which is hollow, and had a spout to discharge the heated water. The three eagles placed on it are meant to support a kettle. The charcoal was contained in the square base.

Painting representing the manner of hanging a Picture against the wall.