Silver Relief of a Dancing Maenad

Culture: Roman

Period: 1st century A.D.

Material: Silver

Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 8.7 cm

Price: 10 000 Euro

Ref: 3541

Provenance: English private collection, acquired in the early 1980s. Thence Christie's New York on 9 June 2011, lot 144.

Condition: On the shoulder and on the knee closed cracks, some perforations are torn. Overall a magnificently embossed silver work.

Description: Magnificently worked out silver plaque depicting a dancing maenad facing to the right. In this finely embossed work a dynamic relief was created. The maenad dances barefoot, the left leg is put forward on a base line. Her sleeveless dress flies in pleats in the back, around her hip a tied up band whirls around. Her hair cascades in wavy strands into the nape. The maenad holds in her hands cymbals upwards, which intensify the sound of music. The thyrsus (the symbol of Dionysus and his companions) at her side indicates that she enjoys the Dionysian festivities. In the corners perforations for mounting on a furniture. Mounted.