Object of the Month: June's Choice from Louisa

At Jewry Wall Museum, every object has a story to tell. For our first Object of the Month, Louisa from our team has selected a remarkable fragment of Roman painted wall plaster dating to around AD 150.

This colourful piece once decorated a townhouse on Blue Boar Lane, located in what is now the Highcross Street area of Leicester. Although only a fragment survives today, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the homes and lifestyles of Roman Leicester's residents nearly 2,000 years ago.

Creating painted walls like this required considerable skill. Roman artists would have carefully planned their designs before work began, as the paint needed to be applied while the plaster was still wet. There was little room for error, making each decorated wall a testament to the craftsmanship of the period.

Objects such as this help us understand how people lived, worked and expressed themselves in Roman Britain. They remind us that Leicester was once a thriving Roman town filled with beautifully decorated homes, bustling streets and vibrant communities.

This is just one of the many fascinating objects cared for by the Jewry Wall Museum team. Throughout the year, our staff will be sharing their favourite items from the collection, revealing the stories and discoveries behind them.