Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
c. 1st-2nd century AD
Length: 10mm, width: 8mm, depth: 1mm
Gold oval tapered tablet intaglio finely depicting a male bearded portrait mask of a satyr facing the left.
The representation of satyr masks is quite frequent on Roman gems but very rare in gold. This iconographic scheme reflects, on the one hand, the Roman world’s interest in theatre and, on the other, the possible apotropaic function of such imagery. By symbolising Dionysian themes of ecstasy and theatre, these masks embodied the wild and untamed aspects of nature, while simultaneously expressing the Roman fascination with theatrical culture.
c. 1st-2nd century AD
Length: 10mm, width: 8mm, depth: 1mm
Gold oval tapered tablet intaglio finely depicting a male bearded portrait mask of a satyr facing the left.
The representation of satyr masks is quite frequent on Roman gems but very rare in gold. This iconographic scheme reflects, on the one hand, the Roman world’s interest in theatre and, on the other, the possible apotropaic function of such imagery. By symbolising Dionysian themes of ecstasy and theatre, these masks embodied the wild and untamed aspects of nature, while simultaneously expressing the Roman fascination with theatrical culture.