Object Description
This is a fine antique pair of Italian Grand Tour solid bronze busts of Dionysus and Ariadne, circa 1860 in date.
The pair feature black patinated finely cast busts which are mounted on gilt bronze socles raised on cylindrical Italian Milas Lilac, purple and white, marble plinths on black slate bases.
These high-quality hot cast solid bronze bronzes were produced using the traditional “lost wax” process, otherwise known as the “cire perdue” method.
The attention to detail here is remarkable and this truly beautiful pair of bronze busts are sure to receive the maximum amount of attention wherever placed.
Condition:
In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 31 cm x Width 13 cm x Depth 9 cm – Dionysus
Height 30 cm x Width 15 cm x Depth 14 cm – Ariadne
Dimensions in inches:
Height 1 foot x Width 5 inches x Depth 3 inches – Dionysus
Height 1 foot x Width 6 inches x Depth 5 inches – Ariadne
Dionysus (Bacchus)
Along with Demeter, Dionysus was worshipped as a god of the gifts of earth. He was the God of the Vine from which the grapes used to ferment wine were grown. Dionysus granted wine to the people of Greece in his travels, when he taught men how to cultivate grape vines.
One of the most famous stories featuring Dionysus was during said travels, when Dionysus was spotted by a troop of pirates. He was a handsome, strong youth clad in opulent attire and so was mistaken to be a prince of sorts—the son of a king who would be able to grant a great ransom. The pirates brought Dionysus aboard and attempted to restrain him with ropes, but anyplace the rope touched Dionysus fell apart.
When the crew realized their captive must be a god, a lone helmsman beseeched the captain to free him. The captain and the rest of the crew objected, at which point Dionysus used his divine powers to hold the ship in place with vines. Terrified, the crew leapt overboard to save themselves and where turned into dolphins when they hit the water. Only the helmsman was granted Dionysus’ mercy.
Although Dionysus is characterized as a benign and beneficent, as any Olympian god this story reveals the cruelty Dionysus was capable of inflicting on mortals.
ARIADNE was the immortal wife of the wine-god Dionysos.
There were several versions of her story. In one, Ariadne, a daughter of King Minos of Krete (Crete), assisted Theseus in his quest to slay the Minotauros (Minotaur) and then fled with the hero aboard his ship. When they landed on the island of Naxos Theseus abandoned her as she slept. It was then that Dionysos discovered her and made her his wife. Some say she was later slain by the goddess Artemis or else ascended to Olympos with her husband as an immortal.
According to others Ariadne’s bridal with Dionysos occurred several generations before this when the god was still travelling the earth spreading his cult. During his war against Argives with a band of sea-women, Ariadne was slain or turned to stone by King Perseus. The god descended into the underworld to recover her and brought her back with him to Olympos.
In Greek vase painting Ariadne is often depicted alongside Dionysos–either feasting with the gods of Olympos or in Bacchic scenes surrounded by dancing Satyroi (Satyrs) and Mainades. Dionysos’ discovery of the sleeping Ariadne on Naxos was also a popular scene in classical art.
Lost Wax Method
sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue or the Latin, cera perduta is the process by which a bronze or brass is cast from an artists sculpture.
In industrial uses, the modern process is called investment casting. An ancient practice, the process today varies from foundry to foundry, but the steps which are usually used in casting small bronze sculptures in a modern bronze foundry are generally quite standardised.
Our reference: A4480