Lot 73A
Roman Silver Silenus Bust Applique with Horse Ears
Roman Silver Silenus Bust Applique with Horse Ears
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Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A captivating silver bust applique depicting the rustic god Silenus, mentor and companion to Dionysus, wrought with exceptional expressive force. Cast in high relief, the wizened satyr is rendered bald and bare-chested, his rotund shoulders melting into the flattened backing designed for attachment. His thick curling beard and furrowed brow suggest both age and revelry, while his coarse features - broad nose, heavy-lidded eyes, and slightly open mouth - evoke a theatrical mask of intoxicated wisdom. Nubbin horns rise from his forehead, and exaggerated pointed ears emerge sharply at each side of the head, recalling his half-beast nature. These equine ears, paired with the satyr's heavy-set gaze, root the figure in Dionysian mythology, where Silenus often embodies the paradox of drunken foolishness and divine insight. Size: 1.3" W x 1.8" H (3.3 cm x 4.6 cm); silver quality: 91.5%; weight: 22.8 grams
Though modest in scale, the figure carries the weight of classical symbolism and may have once adorned a vessel, casket, or furniture, imbuing it with protective or hedonistic power. Silver appliques of Silenus are rare, and this example's combination of technical finesse and mythological resonance would have delighted Roman patrons attuned to Bacchic allegory.
Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection
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#195827
- Condition: Small area of loss to neck beneath proper right side of chin. Light surface wear, but otherwise, very nice with good detail and scattered earthen deposits. An old label accompanying the piece incorrectly identifies the figure as Bacchus.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |