Bronze Statuette of a Ball Playing Silenus

Culture: Roman

Period: 2nd century A.D.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 11.4 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 3665

Provenance: From a French collection, acquired in the German art market in the early 2000s.

Condition: Left hand missing, otherwise very beautifully preserved.

Description: Charming solid bronze statuette of an unclothed Silenus who holds with his right hand a ball (“pila”) above his head. He stands with his weight on the left leg, the right free leg turned outwards. His fluffy tail stands straight up, then drops down and rests on his right buttock. Silenus bends his muscular body to the right and is tensed. He is about to throw the ball. Ball games, alone or in a group, were very popular with the Romans. The most widespread one was the small pila, a hard ball stuffed with horsehair or feathers and sewn with rags. Under the feet a tapering tenon, where the statuette was affixed in ancient times. Mounted.