Roman Marble Head of a Satyr

A Roman marble head of a satyr, dating from the 1st to the 3rd century AD. The face is full of character: a broad grin, raised cheeks, a furrowed brow and eyes narrowed with mischief, framed by a mass of wild, deeply drilled curls and pointed ears. Satyrs were the companions of Dionysus, or Bacchus, god of wine, revelry and liberation, and embodied pleasure, wildness and the untamed forces of nature. The Romans took them from Greek art and integrated them into the decorative programmes of their villas, banqueting halls, fountains and gardens, evoking an idyllic, mythological world. Satyrs were more often carved as part of larger friezes, reliefs or fountain groups, which makes an independent head of this quality an unusual survival. The fine carving of the features, the hair and the ears is well preserved. The head is mounted on a mahogany and gilt metal base.