• Home
  • Auction 31
  • 42 A Dionysian ancient yellow marble herm bust 1st century AD; ...

Lot 42 - Auction 31

A Dionysian ancient yellow marble herm bust 1st century AD

Bids

Lot status:
Auction closed

Description

A Dionysian ancient yellow marble herm bust
1st century AD; alt. cm 18; An ancient yellow marble herm male bust with a severe expression, accentuated by a furrowed brow and tension in the facial features. He has wide, sunken eyes, a disfigured nose, lips shut tight and a prominent chin; his hair is carved with small curly locks that frame his forehead, while the rest of his head is adorned with large acanthus leaves, berries and other plants held together by a sash, the hem of which rests on his shoulders. The iconography of the character is very obviously related to Dionysus; his exact identity however is uncertain: it could be a satyr or Hercules in the dress of Dionysus.
This type of herm was very common in the Hellenistic and imperial periods, especially in private settings. It could be used as decoration in the triclinium or in Roman gardens and was usually placed with other herms representing various gods and divine beings.

PROVENANCE:
Private collection, London; acquired on the European art market in the 1980s.

Only registered and authorized users are allowed to place bids.

Please use the registration form to send us your participation request, or, if you are already registered and authorized, use the login box on the top.

For any information please contact info@bertolamifineart.com