K. Palágyi Sylvia szerk.: Balácai Közlemények 2008/10. (Veszprém, 2008)

KIRCHHOF, ANITA: The decorative system and reconstruction of the red dining room at Baláca - A balácai vörös ebédlő dekorációs rendszere és rekonstrukciója

middle zone at the top by a green strip,

57 its was a characteristic practice of the painting of that period.

58 In her reconstruction E. B. Thomas had divided the pedestal both vertically and horizontally. On the basis of the fragments the picture field of the pedestal was separated from the main field by a narrow white strip. Below this she had divided the pedestal with a black background colour in the extension of the axis of the candelabrums into picture fields by lilac-coloured bands with white borders.

59 The width of the picture fields of the pedestal constructed in this manner is not correct, the division of the pedestal of the wall-paintings

60 into fields usually followed the vertical division of the main zone, that is the width of the picture fields of the pedestal was identical with the widths of the candelabrums and of the panels of the main zone. That is the vertical divison of the whole wall was identical with those of the main zone and of the pedestal. The lilac-coloured dividing band does not match the other colours of the wall-painting, that is it belonged to the decoration of another room. Within the picture fields of the pedestal reconstructed in this manner, which therefore were wider than the panels of the main field, there were the representations of water-side scenes with marsh-sedge. In the middle of sedges besides a stork, other water-fowls and a cock peeps out.

61 The fragments represent green plants painted on a black background which seem frequently as "floating" on the surface. Water-side scenes within picture fields of pedestal are well-known on contemporary wall-paintings both at Baláca

62 and in other places in the territory of the Roman Empire.

63 However, the position of the fragments and the reconstructed scenes show some sort of a confused disorder. On the basis of the analogous representations mentioned

64 the animals and marsh-plants are depicted in the picture fields separately at a certain distance from each other as independent units and not in an intermingled mixture. She left an about 10-20 cm band below the picture fields which could be the equivalent of the so-called "dirt strip".

65 The application of the "dirt strip" on the pedestal of the reconstruction is incorrect, because the place of the "dirt strip" was that part which was below the bottom-line depicted in the picture fields, that is it did not appear as a separate band outside of the picture field, but its position was within the picture field, separated by the bottom-line.

66 Characteristics of the stucco decoration I did not find any fragments belonging to the wall-painting which would refer to a cornice in relief. The stucco-decoration of the Red Dining Room was imitated by painting. The stucco-imitation was bordered from above by a 5,4-4,4 cm wide red band, while at its lower part a green band of similar width (5,4 cm) separated it from the main field. (Fig 4) The elaboration of a red horizontal band over the stucco cornice is a characteristic feature can be found both on contemporary paintings at Baláca

67 and on other Pannonian wall-paintings.

68 Above the red band closing the imitated stucco there is a white surface which is not painted,

69 the starting of the ceiling is not yet appears on this surface. The average width of the stucco course below the red band is 13 cm.

70 Over the central picture band of the stucco a thinner imitated lath, while near the middle part of it a white, thicker one, without decoration was painted.

71 Also below the picture band there was a wider, lath without decoration, below it an imitation of a white dentils can be traced.

72 The reliefed effect