Classical World, Etruria, ca. late 4th to 3rd century BCE. A wonderfully preserved leaded bronze handle cast at each terminal with a head and face of Silenus, the tutor and follower of Dionysus (Roman Bacchus), always depicted as an older man with a large, fulsome beard. Each face features a wonderful beard, large eyes, a heavy brow, and faun-like ears projecting from the sides. The elegant handle portion arches between the two faces and bears three facets of equal width. 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. Size: 6.25" L x 1.1" W (15.9 cm x 2.8 cm); 3.1" H (7.9 cm) on included custom stand.

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.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired June 10, 2019; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s

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#165574

Minor abrasions to handle, both faces, and verso, otherwise intact and in excellent condition. Fantastic preservation to fine details, and smooth green and brown patina throughout.