Object Description
A large late 19th century (circa 1880) Grand Tour Neapolitan bronze figure of Narcissus or Bacchus, after the Antique, with green patination.
This figure was long thought to be that of Narcissus, however the grapes in his hair and the animal skin draped over his shoulder does suggest it is in fact a figure of Bacchus, Roman god of wine, after a model by Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929).
The figure standing naked with a wreath of grapes and leaves in his hair, a goat skin wine sack over his shoulder, sandals on his feet, all supported on a typical Neapolitan design circular base.
The original Roman bronze was discovered in 1862 in a house in Pompeii and was the last antique statue to be discovered in Italy, now in the Museo Nazionale, Naples.
Many described it as probably the most beautiful bronze to be found in Pompeii and the figure was widely copied during the Grand Tour in the late 19th century.
Narcissus was an incredibly handsome hunter, known for his beauty, it is said that he took a drink of water from a pool and noticed his reflection in the water and fell in love with it and when he realised it was purely an image of himself he eventually died.
Bacchus the Roman God of wine or Dionysus the Greek God of wine was usually depicted with grapes and vines in his hair with a goat skin over his shoulder.
This bronze figure is in very good condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home.
Size:
Height: 24.25” / 61.5cm
Width: 10” / 25.5cm
Depth: 10” / 25.5cm