Roman tufa Lararium

This model of a Roman Tufa Lararium goes back to ca. 1st-2nd century A.D.. Designed like a temple in miniature with pilasters, steps leading up, an eagle in the pediment and a different fruit behind each palmette acroterion, this would have stood in a wealthy Roman house or garden. From the time of Augustus onwards every Roman household would have had a lararium for the lar familiaris, the household deity that protected the members of the family, ensuring their health and prosperity, as well as other gods favoured by the family.