Look! "Beware of Dog" Mosaics from Pompeii

Having a dog to keep your home safe is an ancient alarm system. "Beware of Dog" signs have also been used to protect homes for centuries — regardless of whether the home actually has a dog. Beautiful mosaics were brought to our attention at the inspiring exhibition "Pompeii and the Roman Villa" that recently closed at the National Gallery of Art in DC. A mosaic like the one shown here was common in Pompeian homes as a humorous "no trespassing" sign. Do you think such signs worked to protect homes, either today or in the past? More beautiful dog mosaics, artwork, and info below the jump...

Pompeian dog mosaics often included the words "Cave Canem," which means "Beware the Dog" in Latin.

For more ancient mosaics featuring guard dogs, click here. Do you know of any good "Beware of Dog" resources or products? Do you have one at home?

"BEWARE OF DOG" POSTS ON APARTMENT THERAPY
• Good Questions: Kinder Beware of Dog Signs?
•The Original Pet Postings "Dog In Yard" Signs

"BEWARE OF DOG" PRODUCTS
• Beware of Dog Mini Art Poster ($9.95)
• Rottweiler beware of the dog signs (£3.80)
• "Beware Of Dog" Sound FX LP - Security At 33 RPM
• Santa Monica woman helps import rare dog art from the L.A. Times
• A universal favorite ('beware of dog...and of owner') from Rome

Comments (8)

The Roman mosaic I most need at home is one with a cat on a table with game birds and grapes. "Beware of Cat Taking Your Food."

posted by whytephoenix on April 6th 2009 at 9:51am
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I have a little enameled plaque from BHV in Paris, it says "Attention Chien Bizarre" I think its hilarious.

posted by DahliaCactus on April 6th 2009 at 10:25am
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Love these, thanks Rachel!

posted by ChrisToronto on April 6th 2009 at 10:38am
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In the small city I live in, it's required by law to have a warning sign posted for dogs because many people have pitbulls.

posted by HelloChloe on April 6th 2009 at 10:58am
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I've seen this mosaic in real life in Pompeii -- it's amazing how perfectly the mosaics are preserved having been protected by volcanic ash for hundreds of years.

If you're ever in Italy, do NOT miss Pompeii.

posted by jac7890 on April 6th 2009 at 11:14am
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Cave canum.. It's been 4 years since High School Latin, why do I still know that?

posted by anchorlove on April 6th 2009 at 11:15am
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My sister-in-law recreated a life-size version of this mosaic using paper: http://tinyurl.com/c9ok5b. The project was published in Craft magazine.

posted by raina on April 6th 2009 at 11:23am
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I have read that such signs do often deter thieves, mainly because they worry about the potential noise.

Me, I'm fond of the door sticker I once saw: (If I can get it right) "This House protected by the Borg. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Thieves will be assimilated. Resistance is futile."

(Trek fans only need apply.)

posted by SherryBinNH on April 6th 2009 at 1:40pm
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