• r2-121-10
    Fragmentary statue group of Dionysus, Manisa 372. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Fragmentary Statue Group of Dionysus, Panther, and Satyr

Date
2nd C. AD, Roman
Museum
Manisa, Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum, 372
Museum Inventory No.
372
Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
Manisa 372
Material
Marble, Stone
Object Type
Sculpture
Sculpture Type
Mythological Figure, Human Figure, Animal
Site
Sardis?
Findspot
Findspot unknown; came to Manisa museum in 1952.
Description

Dionysus, standing frontally, is accompanied at his r. by a recumbent panther and a satyr, whose feet only are preserved. A round broken stump in front of the l. foot of Dionysus suggests that he carried a thyrsus in his l. hand. His long hair falls to his shoulders. He wears a nebris with a panther head slung over the r. shoulder. There is a broad border at the upper edge of the nebris, and a curious, nearly horizontal edge at the bottom. His sandals have tied thongs and come to above the ankles. There are the stumps of struts on the side of his leg, which one assumes joined him to the satyr at his side. A pillar at the back helped to support the group, which stands on a high, simply profiled, well-preserved base.

The modeling is limited, but the overall effect not unsuccessful. This is average work of the 2nd C. A.D.

Condition
Gray marble. Head of Dionysus lost; also his r. arm below shoulder, and l. arm below elbow; also head and part of body of panther. Satyr gone except for feet.
Dimensions
H. 0.78; H. of Dionysus 0.59.
Comments
For a similar Dionysus, see García y Bellido, Esculturas romanas, 100, no. 88, pl. 75. Cf. also our Cat. 122 (Figs. 250-251). For similar nebris, Hoffmann, Ten Centuries, 71, no. 21.
See Also
Bibliography
Author
NHR