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LOT 0031

Roman Bronze Handle w/ Silenus and Satyr

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Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A charming cast bronze handle from a casket or similar item featuring on one terminal the face of a satyr with wild hair and horns; on the other end is Silenus, with incised wild hair that stands up atop the head, a thick, bushy mustache and beard, and his own pair of horns. His features are close together, with wide eyes and a wide nose above a large, full-lipped mouth. The handle itself arches in a gentle loop with lightly incised lines along its length. Size: 1" W x 4.5" H (2.5 cm x 11.4 cm); 4.2" H (10.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Satyrs were powerful symbols in ancient Rome, associated with the joy of the Bacchanal. Silenus, an older companion to Bacchus (Dionysus), was also a satyr. The consumption of wine was an important social activity in Roman society and satyrs and Silenus were commonly added to decorative items to signify the owner's affiliation with the cult of Bacchus. Themes of the god and his followers were particularly popular during the early part of this time period, as control of the Mediterranean shifted from Greece to Rome.

Provenance: ex-Richard Wagner Collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, 1960s-1990s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#147905
Condition Report: Intact, with light wear commensurate with age including some roughness along the edges of the handle. Both faces are very nicely preserved. The surface has a rich, dark green patina.

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05 Dec 2019
USA, Louisville, KY
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[ translate ]

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A charming cast bronze handle from a casket or similar item featuring on one terminal the face of a satyr with wild hair and horns; on the other end is Silenus, with incised wild hair that stands up atop the head, a thick, bushy mustache and beard, and his own pair of horns. His features are close together, with wide eyes and a wide nose above a large, full-lipped mouth. The handle itself arches in a gentle loop with lightly incised lines along its length. Size: 1" W x 4.5" H (2.5 cm x 11.4 cm); 4.2" H (10.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Satyrs were powerful symbols in ancient Rome, associated with the joy of the Bacchanal. Silenus, an older companion to Bacchus (Dionysus), was also a satyr. The consumption of wine was an important social activity in Roman society and satyrs and Silenus were commonly added to decorative items to signify the owner's affiliation with the cult of Bacchus. Themes of the god and his followers were particularly popular during the early part of this time period, as control of the Mediterranean shifted from Greece to Rome.

Provenance: ex-Richard Wagner Collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, 1960s-1990s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#147905
Condition Report: Intact, with light wear commensurate with age including some roughness along the edges of the handle. Both faces are very nicely preserved. The surface has a rich, dark green patina.

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Sale price
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Estimate
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Time, Location
05 Dec 2019
USA, Louisville, KY
Auction House
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View it on