I just love this carving. It’s a shame it’s on Ivory, but it’s from the 1700s so we’ll forgive it. The artwork is Balthasar Permoser, German sculptor. This can be seen in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
Category: Sculpture
Bacchanalian Rites
BACCHANALIA, ORGIA, or Dionysia, the sacred rites of Bacchus were celebrated every third year, hence called Trieterica, in the night, chiefly on Cithaeron, and Ismeus, in Boeotia; and on Isguarus, Rhodope, and Edon, in Thrace. In these rites, it was common for the votaries to put on fawn skins, fine linen, and mitres; to carry…
Mind. Blown. The Dancing Satyr of Mazara del Vallo
There aren’t many places on earth where the satyr stands at the core of identity, but Mazara del Vallo, a little town in Sicily, worships one. Mazara del Vallo is a quaint fishing town in Sicily’s Western corner known for its gorgeous coastline and abundant waters. In 1998, however, something extraordinary would happen that would…
Bacchante and Satyr, 1869, by Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clésinger
Here we have a bacchante with an amorous satyr. They appear to have just returned from a festival and are in wonderful spirits and probably a little drunk. Their pose is one of a joyful intimacy. These two had a very wonderful romp together. This piece is so sensuous. I love it. This marble sculpture…
Weller Pottery Satyr Planter
Today marks my 9th wedding anniversary. The traditional gift is pottery which is really easy for two garden obsessed people. I got my husband this satyr Weller Roma Hexagon hanging planter circa 1914-1920. He’s flying in from California today. I think he’s gonna love it.
Jeweled Cup by Joé Descomps
The bowl, supported by a trio of cranes, features cavorting satyrs and nymphs. The stem is decorated by the wings of the birds and set with a large amethyst. Claws make up the pointed base. Like in furniture, the animal characteristics of the pedestal allude to man’s bestial nature, tamed by civilizing force. Source: Sotheby’s…
Nymph and Satyr by Claude Michel Clodion
Clodion, who was brought up within a family of artists, studied at the École des élèves protégés before moving to the Académie de France in Rome, where he acquired the extensive knowledge of Classical Antiquity that was to be vital to him throughout his career. Inspired by the intimate style of the domestic sculpture of…
Notable Fauns at the Capitoline
I was at the Capitoline Museum in Rome last November. The Capitoline has been on my bucket list for a while now. Despite being in Rome four times in recent years, I never stopped in. This last visit, I devoted a full day to my journey through antiquity. I’ve posted many of my vacation photos…
Satyre by René Lalique
Satyre, Perfume Bottle with Stopper by René Lalique, 1933, Corning Museum of Glass. René Jules Lalique was a French glass designer known for his creations of glass art, perfume bottles, vases, jewelry, chandeliers, clocks, and automobile hood ornaments.
Satyr and Damsel
This is more than likely a rendition of Jupiter and Antiope where Jupiter is stealing the blankets from the princess. However, I do find there is a certain tenderness to this scene absent the voyeurism so often associated with this myth. I think perhaps it’s because the woman is shown fully clothed versus half dressed….
The Pan Terminus In My Garden
Last Spring we purchased the Pan Terminus from Haddonstone. The 2K pound statue defied all kinds of equipment and efforts to erect it (pun intended). My husband and I had to finally purchase an engine hoist and hope for the best. Like they say in Italy, an inch is as good as a mile. The…
Bacchus From Siena
While we were in Siena, we came across a wonderful ceramic shop called Antica Siena located on Piazza del Campo and instantly fell in love with this Bacchus. It’s like he was waiting for us. We bought him instantly and arranged to have him delivered home. The piece is quite large and heavy and would have proved difficult…
Dyonisian Architectural Salvage
This Bacchus was saved from a building that was recently demolished in NYC and is now for sale. He’s nearly 6 feet tall. I keep thinking about all the amazing things he’s seen through the years perched up 25 stories above the metropolis. I absolutely love this piece of NYC history. So glad he was…
Satyr Bronze by Krassimir Krustev
Satyr sculpture by Krassimir Krustev, Bulgaria. This beautiful bronze is available for purchase at Saatchi Art. My other websites: My author website: InkSorcery.com My Home and Garden Blog: CastleRavensrook.com & Castle in the Sticks (Tumblr) My Antiquarian Bookshop: Ebon et Noir (Etsy), Ebon et Noir (eBay), Ebon et Noir (Web), Ebon et Noir (Tumblr) Connect with me…
Exploring the Myth of Jupiter and Antiope (Part II)
Jupiter’s seduction of Antiope is a frequent theme in western painting and has been treated by Titian, Van Dyck, Watteau, and David among others. They are based on the story of the seduction of Antiope by the god Zeus in Greek mythology, later imported into Roman mythology and told of the god Jupiter. According to this…
Frisky Satyr 