Details

LOT 0119

Roman North Africa Oinophoros Redware Wine Jug with a Satyr

4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.

8 in. (1.03 kg, 20.5 cm).

An unusual short-necked jug in the shape of a satyr head with pointed ears, short fringe, closed mouth, wide oval eyes, hooked nose, base smooth and flat; two-handled amphora on top of the head, decorative vulva motifs arranged in a single row to the back of the head. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Excavated by Ashmead Pruen, Egypt, circa 1836.
Pruen family collection, Somerset, UK.
Property of Richard Pruen by direct descent.
Accompanied by a handwritten letter from Richard Pruen explaining the circumstances of excavation and family descent.
Accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr. Raffaele D'Amato.
Accompanied by a positive thermoluminescence analysis report, sample no.N122e55 from Oxford Authentication.

Published

Exhibited at Knightcott House, Banwell, Somerset, circa 1918-1943.

Literature

Cf. a similar vessel at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta, inv.no.1996.010.002; cf. Gabler, D. and Marton, A., 'Head-Pots in the Antiquities Collection' in Bulletin du Musee Hongrois des Beaux-Arts, 2008/108-109, pp.43-64, figs.4-5.

Footnotes

Satyrs, who expressed the pleasures of Bacchus-Dionysus, are relatively common on ancient head-pots. The Dionysiac mysteries expressed the initiate's hopes for a new life after death, and the oinophoroi (wine-bearers) were part of his everyday life, used for pouring or drinking vessels at symposia, or for washing. The typology appeared in North-Africa from the first half of the 3rd century A.D., and several pieces carried the signatures of their makers. The most famous is Navigius, well known for his biconical jugs and cylindrical potteries, alongside whom we have the officinae of Septus, Tabinas, Olitrensis, Ianuarius and Saturninus. This model represents a simpler type compared with the more detailed 3rd century examples, and could be attributed to a slightly later age.

CONDITION