Statuette of Dionysus (Bacchus) with Ancient Base

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Statuette of Dionysus (Bacchus) with Ancient Base

Place of OriginRoman Empire

Date1st-2nd century CE

DimensionsH: 4 in. (10.2 cm); L: 1 7/16 in. (3.7 cm); W: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)

MediumBronze

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineGift of the Popplestone Family

Object number

2006.96

Not on View

DescriptionA solid-cast bronze statuette of a nude male figure, identified as Bacchus, standing on a separate, round bronze pedestal. The figure stands with his weight on his right leg. A panther skin (nebris) is draped over his left shoulder, across his chest, and around his left arm. His left arm is raised high, and his hand is positioned to hold a (now missing) attribute, such as a thyrsos. His right arm is lowered at his side. Tool marks from manufacture are visible on the surface. The figure is currently loose and held to the pedestal by a pin in the bottom of the proper right foot.

Label TextThis small bronze statuette depicts Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, agriculture, and ecstasy. He is identifiable by the panther skin draped over his shoulder, one of his key attributes. His raised left arm would have originally held a staff, likely a thyrsos (a pinecone-topped staff) , which is now lost. Created in the 1st or 2nd century CE, small, portable figures of deities like this were extremely common in the Roman world. Curators have suggested that its pedestal indicates it was likely made for a lararium, a household shrine where the family would worship domestic gods and offer daily prayers.Published ReferencesPegasi Numismatics. Auction V. Ann Arbor, MI, 2003, Lot 847.