A ROMAN ROCK CRYSTAL FIGURE OF SILENUS HOLDING GRAPES, 2ND C...

Estimate

£2,000 - £4,000

A ROMAN ROCK CRYSTAL FIGURE OF SILENUS HOLDING GRAPES, 2ND CENTURY A.D.

This finely crafted Roman rock crystal figure, dating to the 2nd century A.D, depicts Silenus, the mythological companion of Dionysus, holding a cluster of grapes. The figure, with its intricate detailing, captures the robust and elderly features characteristic of Silenus, including a prominent beard, bald head, and a corpulent physique, all meticulously rendered in the translucent rock crystal.

Silenus, often depicted in a state of jovial intoxication, was a symbol of the wine god's entourage, and this figure likely held significance in the context of Roman religious or domestic settings, perhaps as a votive offering or a decorative object reflecting the owner's wealth and taste.

Provenance: Private UK collection.

H: 5cm