Lot 53B
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An elegant cast-bronze situla with an elongated, apple-shaped body, a low disk foot, and a slightly narrowed mouth with an inward rim. A pair of finely-detailed masks are applied to the upper sides of the rim, each depicting a man's face - Silenus. Silenus, the tutor/follower of Bacchus (Dionysus), was always depicted as an older man with a large, full beard, as he is here. The consumption of wine was an important social ritual in Roman society, and Silenus is a common figure whose likeness signified the owner's affiliation with the cult of Bacchus. Each mask applique has a small integral suspension loop projecting upwards from above the head, and a slender parabolic handle with pointed terminal arches between and above. A decorative program of low relief ribs around the body and incised leaf-like motifs around the shoulder and mouth, alongside the masks, imbue this vessel with an opulent presentation so popular in ancient Rome. Size: 5.85" W x 6.25" H (14.9 cm x 15.9 cm)
The situla form was originally made for cooling and serving wine at banquets; others were used to hold ashes, or were buried with offerings in tombs. This decorative example was most likely made specifically for mourning the dead.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#138470
- Condition: Small loss to rim; otherwise in beautiful condition with a dark, matte patina with hints of deep bronze and green in addition to grey/beige deposits. Handle moves easily.
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