House of the Golden Cupids, Pompei

The House of the Golden Cupids was first excavated between 1903 and 1905. It is situated on the via del Vesuvio, and is believed to have been owned by Gnaeus Poppaeus Habitus, a wealthy local figure. Hidden behind an unremarkable façade, the house is renowned for several ornate third style artworks discovered on its walls. Dating from the end of the reign of Augustus Caesar, the third style is defined by delicate, colourful frescoes, influenced by Egyptian art.

The walls of the house feature a number of red and yellow panels with elaborate paintings at their centre. Whilst many of the artworks have faded, there are a number of surviving artworks depicting mythical scenes. In the atrium, the only surviving panel is a fresco of Helen and Paris meeting at Sparta. The exedra, an alcove off to one side of the atrium, features a number of large panels depicting scenes from Roman life. Both the exedra and tablinum, or main living room, have fine mosaics on their floors.

The building gained its name from two glass discs, found in a cubiculum, with cherubs etched onto them. The room also features a remarkable fourth style decoration – a symmetrical pattern of painted red and yellow patterned hexagons, which almost resembles modern wallpaper. Many of the rooms also feature frescoes on their ceilings, making the house one of the most heavily decorated in the city.