After more than eight decades of exile, an ancient work stolen during the Second World War resurfaces in Italy. A mosaic panel illustrating an erotic scene, probably extracted from a Roman villa in the Pompeii region, was returned to the archaeological park of the ancient city. This treasure had been offered by a wehrmacht captain to a German citizen. It was only recently, through his heirs, that he was able to find his homeland of origin.
The restitution operation, controlled by the Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Cultural (TPC) -Italian forces responsible for the protection of heritage -officially concluded in Pompeii, in the presence of the general of Division Francesco Gargaro. The piece, sent from Germany thanks to a diplomatic expedition set up by the Consulate General of Italy in Stuttgart, is now under the care of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Two naked lovers
Measuring about 40 by 60 centimeters, the mosaic has an intimate scene between two naked lovers. Although it is still ignored its exact place of discovery, the specialists believe that it comes from a domus or a villa located in the Vesuvienne area. Additional analyzes will allow to refine its origin and authenticate the work with more certainty. In the meantime, the fragment will be temporarily exposed to the Pompeii antiquarium, allowing the public to admire this rare vestige while ensuring its conservation.
« Each work returned is an injury closed », He disclaid Gabriel Ernables, CoctureCerly du Paris Archivique by the Poompé. « It is not the market value that counts, but the story it carries and that illicit traffic has tried to erase. ».
