**Originally Listed At $1500**
Eastern Greece, Rhodes, ca. 6th century BCE. An impressive pottery alabastron in the form of the satyr Silenus, the companion and tutor of the wine god Dionysus known for his drunken debauchery. Kneeling, the nude figure is depicted traditionally with the ears of a horse and body of a man. A pointed beard engulfs his chin, as his wide eyes gaze forward displaying arched brows and generous lids from above a broad nose and full lips. His arms fall to his sides with hands resting on his thighs, flanking his prominent genitalia. A flared spout rises from the top of his head. Figural vases, like this example, were very popular throughout Eastern Greece, but the number and location of the centers of production remain to be identified. A bottle like this example would have been used for holding precious oils or sweet and floral perfumes. Size: 3.2" L x 3.2" W x 7.2" H (8.1 cm x 8.1 cm x 18.3 cm)
Silenus was the mythical teacher and drinking companion of Dionysus (Roman Bacchus), god of wine, winemaking, and the grape harvest - and furthermore, by virtue of the inebriated state brought about by the ingestion of such fermented libations of the vine, the deity also associated with madness, theatre, and spiritual ecstasy. Although Dionysus and his followers like Silenus appear on classical Greek pottery - usually on vessels meant for holding wine - they first became popular during the Hellenistic period, when many of the conventions of portraying them became codified.
This piece was published by G. Puhze "Antikekunst" Vol. 12, 1997, no. 162 and Royal-Athena Galleries in "Art of the Ancient World" Vol. XXVI, 2015, page 20, lot 90.
Cf. British Museum (museum number 1860,0404.56) and Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest (inventory number T.18).
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, December 2009; ex-private German collection
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#177266
Condition
Spout, proper left ear, and small area of face have been professionally repaired with some restoration. Minor nicks and pitting to surface, commensurate with age, but otherwise in overall excellent condition. Nice remaining detail.