Object Description
This is a superb large antique Grand Tour patinated bronze figure of “Dionysus, called Narcissus” dating from the mid 19th Century.
Dionysus is the ancient Greek God of wine, whereas Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology and was distinguished for his beauty.
This stunning patinated bronze classical figure is after the original antique bronze which was found in Pompeii in 1862. It features Dionysus (called Narcissus) standing tall with his head slightly looking downward, mounted on a decorative Violet Breche marble circular column raised on a black stepped marble base.
This high-quality hot cast solid bronze was produced by using the traditional “lost wax” process, otherwise known as the “cire perdue” method.
The craftsmanship is second to none throughout all aspects of this bronze which is sure to add an unparalleled touch of class to your home.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 50 cm x Width 17 cm x Depth 17 cm
Dimensions in inches:
Height 1 foot, 8 inches x Width 7 inches x Depth 7 inches
“Dionysus, called Narcissus” is an ancient Roman bronze statuette (1st century BC–1st century AD) discovered in Pompeii in 1862. Though initially dubbed “Narcissus” due to its contemplative, youthfully beautiful pose, scholars later identified it as the god Dionysus based on ivy in his hair and a goatskin drape.
Dionysus is the ancient Greek god of wine, wine making, grape cultivation, fertility, ritual madness, theatre, and religious ecstasy. Known as the “twice-born” son of Zeus and the mortal Semele, he represents both the joyous, civilized aspects of wine and its wild, frenzied, and subverting nature.
Violet Breche marble
is extracted from the town of Serravezza, near to the Carrara region in Italy. It is a very heterogeneous marble made up of hues going from white to dark violet, whilst passing through shades of pink, all combined together with a violet coloured cement.
In his Dictionary of Business and Industry, Blanqui describes Violet Breche. “This marble that is frequently used on the most beautiful churches in Italy, and is found on several tables and columns in the galleries of the Louvre Museum, offers an elegant detail to monumental architecture. The quarries that produce it are several miles from Serravezza, and are found in the commune of Stazzema. When the fragments which make up Violet Breche are large, in other words, when the lilacs, pinks, and whites, are prominent, it can only be used for monumental architecture, but when the colours are less prominent and equally spread across the whole surface of the marble, it can be used to make fireplaces and luxurious furniture.”
Our reference: A2708x