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Satyr
Byzantine, Coptic
Early Byzantine Period
A.D. 4th-5th century
Place of Manufacture: Egypt, Alexandria
Medium/Technique
Bone
Dimensions
Height x width: 8.7 × 3.3 cm (3 7/16 × 1 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
John Michael Rodocanachi Fund
Accession Number57.698
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsSculpture
DescriptionFragment of a convex boned plaque; figure of a nude male in dancing position holding a shepherd’s crook. His head is turned to the left. He is a satyr belonging to a large group of bone plaques with representations of figures from the Dionysiac entourage which probably once adorned a wooden box; or wooden furniture in the household of Roman and early Byzantine Egypt. Presumed to have been made in Alexandria and demonstrating the continuation of Classical themes into the early Byzantine period.
ProvenanceBy 1905: Joseph von Kopf Collection, Rome; by 1957: with Dr. Antonio Agostini, Rome; purchased by MFA from Dr. Antonio Agostini, November 14, 1957 for $ 300- (this figure is the total price for 57.691-699)