Roman fresco showing fullers

Roman fresco from the fullonica (dyer’s shop) of Veranius Hypsaeus in Pompeii. Object dated to I century CE; found in Pompeii. Now located in the National museum of Naples.

The man on the left is busy brushing wool cloth. The man on the right, standing beneath a caged dome, is engaged in fabric whitening via sulphurized fumigation. An owl is perched on top of the cage, likely a symbol of Athena, protector of the lanaiuoli (i.e. companies of wool merchants).

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Fullones in ancient Rome Toga – typical Roman garment Lucius Licinius Lucullus Caesar’s invasion of Britain Second Punic War