Bacchanalian fireback - firebacks

Description

This square bacchanalian fireback represents an Antique and mythological celebration in the honor of Bacchus, the god of wine (Dionysus for the Greeks).
In a wooded landscape, three women dance on the left with wild loose hair, a tambourine and cymbals, and represent Bacchae or Maenads. On the right, satyrs (half-goat half-man characters) play pipes (auloi) and syrinx (pan pipes). The bacchanal theme is underlined by the presence of a large ewer placed above and behind the satyrs on a pillar.
In the foreground a young putto kneels before a barrel of what is undoubtedly wine. This could represent Bacchus himself as a child.

Additional information

The aliveness, complexity and quality of craftsmanship of this work is remarkable and makes this a rare piece.