Vessel Ornament of Banqueter

Description

This bronze banqueter figurine was one of six once adorning the rim of a large basin, now lost. Cast in molds with individualized details, most have grooves on their underside to attach to the basin. Minute traces of gilding remain on areas of clothing and skin (mostly visible only under magnification), suggesting that they may have been completely gilded. Two handles in the form of hippocampi, horses with serpentine tails, also belonged to the basin and are now displayed at the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. The basin may have been used to hold liquid for a banquet, or was perhaps funerary.

This reclining bronze figurine’s left arm rests on the drapery covering his shoulder. His right arm is raised and broken at the wrist. Garlands rest on his head and chest. Traces of gilding remain in the garlands and drapery folds. The figurine is very similar to 1987.157, suggesting that he may have held a phiale mesomphalos, a shallow bowl used for wine libations to the gods.

Provenance

Collection of the Marchese di Riofreddo e Gagliardi (?-1908); William R. Hearst, sold to Brummer Gallery (?-1943); Brummer Gallery, New York, NY, sold to H.K. Montif (1943-1949); H.K. Montif (1949-); Ella Bache Brummer Collection, New York, NY, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?-1987); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1987-)

Vessel Ornament of Banqueter

[]

probably 400–375 BCE

Accession Number

1987.158

Medium

bronze

Dimensions

Overall: 2 cm (13/16 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. Ernest Brummer