This initial collection of replicas was soon joined by about 150 more, and The Field Museum’s collections of De Angelis’s magnificent pieces became one of the largest in the world.  In addition to the bronzes, Ayer also acquired nearly 50 original objects from Pompeii itself, including fine glass vases, bronze and iron objects with crusts of volcanic debris, and a representative sample of ceramics.

But these objects were nothing in comparison to a second set of originals that Ayer was able to acquire: objects dug from the rich cluster of villas a mile north of Pompeii at Boscoreale, which had been destroyed by the same volcanic disaster.  Ayer immediately bought more than ten fine fresco paintings excavated from Boscoreale, including two large paintings that are currently on exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago, on loan from The Field Museum.

Adding to the Field’s growing collections, Ayer also acquired two splendid bronze bathtubs, four gigantic wine jars from the storeroom of an aristocratic vintner, and an assortment of iron objects and fine bronzes.  The combination of originals and replicas from Pompeii and objects from Boscoreale has made The Field Museum one of the leading repositories of Pompeii-related artifacts on this side of the Atlantic.


continue to additional Photo Gallery >>