Roman Leaded Bronze Protome of Bacchus

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It's a Small World | Diminutive Artifacts

By Artemis Gallery

Nov 11, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-11-11 12:00:00 2021-11-11 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : It's a Small World | Diminutive Artifacts https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/its-a-small-world-diminutive-artifacts-7836
Join us for a very special auction featuring art & artifacts from East to West, North to South, and everywhere in between - with one small thing in common - size! Everything in this auction is approximately 6 inches or less - perfect for that last bit of shelf space in your curio cabinet! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Roman, Imperial, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A fabulous bronze protome displaying the bust of Bacchus - Greek Dionysus - the Roman god of wine, vegetation, and festivity, depicted as a youth. Turning his head slightly to his right, the handsome deity gazes forward from generously lidded, almond-shaped eyes above a naturalistic nose, full cheeks, gently parted lips, and a pointed chin. A lush crown of grapes and grape leaves crowns his head, sitting atop luscious locks of hair that flow onto his shoulders and also tie into a bun at the back of his head. He wears a tunic and robe as his thick neck displays fleshy folds of skin, while a lovely circular border of braid motif frames his chest. A pair of drill holes allow for attachment, perhaps to a piece of furniture belonging to an elite Roman citizen. Size: 2.7" W x 3.9" H (6.9 cm x 9.9 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  Bacchus (Greek Dionysos or Dionysus) was the great Roman god of wine, vegetation, pleasure, and festivity, and was the deity to which the Romans dedicated their festival of drunken revelry known as Bacchanalia. Though a prominent subject in Roman art, he was not always depicted in the same manner. The Romans typically characterized him as an elderly man with a lengthy beard or an attractive, effeminate, long-haired youth as we see in this example. His attributes typically included the thyrsus (a long staff topped with a pinecone), a drinking cup, a leopard or panther skin like in this example, and a fruiting vine, and he was usually accompanied by a troop of Satyrs and Maenads.
  
  Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
  
  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.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #144178

  Condition

  Head reattached to body with restoration over break lines. Surface wear to nose. Otherwise, excellent with rich patina throughout and earthen encrustations to verso.
• Shipping Info

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