Painted Lararium Niche

This decorated niche (2nd c.) occupies a prominent wall in a central courtyard, with an arched recess framed by fluted brick pilasters and a projecting shelf for offerings. It likely functioned as a lararium, a household shrine to the protective spirits of the place, the Lares. Such shrines structured daily rituals of sacrifice and prayer, and the refined diamond-pattern fresco suggests use by a prosperous community or guild.