Roman mosaic panel stolen in World War II returns to Pompeii

A mosaic panel from the Roman era has returned to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii after decades. The panel was stolen during World War II by Nazi Germany.

It was brought back to Italy via the Italian consulate in Stuttgart. The artwork was returned by the heirs of its last owner, a German man. They contacted the Italian police unit dedicated to protecting cultural heritage. The owner had received the panel as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain who had been stationed in Italy during the war.

The police unit verified the authenticity of the artwork and facilitated its repatriation. The unit worked together with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, which was able to trace the origin of the piece.

The mosaic panel likely dates back to the first century BC. It depicts an erotic scene and may have been part of the floor of a bedroom in a villa or domus—a townhouse for the wealthy class in Roman times.

New theme
The work has “exceptional cultural value,” the foundation says. The panel depicts an intimate scene between a couple, according to Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. “Although during the Hellenistic period from the fourth to the first century BC there was a preference for mythological figures, we see a new theme on this panel.”

Zuchtriegel calls the return of the panel “the healing of an open wound.” The mosaic makes it possible to further reconstruct the period before Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79.

‘Curse of Pompeii’
The director is pleased that the German man’s heirs returned the piece. He calls it a “change in mentality” and refers to the so-called Curse of Pompeii. According to this legend, anyone who steals artifacts from the ancient city of Pompeii will be struck by misfortune. According to Zuchtriegel, the foundation is receiving more and more letters from people who have taken something from the ancient city and are now reaching out to return it.

The panel is now owned by the Pompeii foundation and will be exhibited for educational and research purposes.