South Italian Figurine: Fragmentary Reclining Dionysos

Inv. No.: 95.072a
Provenance: Taras (?) (Metaponto)
Date: 5th century BC
Height: 140mm
Width: 96mm
 
The head, torso and upper arms of a reclining Dionysos. He is bearded and has curly hair below an elaborate stephane with a rosette on each side and one in the centre. The central rosette is surmounted by a palmette, but this is largely broken and abraded. He wears a himation over his shoulders, leaving his chest and abdomen uncovered. The clay is orange with dark incrustation. Similar pieces are very commonly found at Taras, starting at the beginning of the fifth century and continuing until the early part of the fourth century. The clay is usually a lighter colour, however. Complete examples show Dionysos lying on his left side, resting his right hand on his right leg and propping himself up on his left arm. He usually holds a cup or a phiale in his left hand. The head-dress is very characteristic.

Function:
A votive offering.

Manufacture:
A mould-made piece with a hollow back.

Bibliography:
Higgins, R. A., Catalogue of the Terracottas in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, second edition, London, British Museum, 1969, I (Text), 336-359.

Comparanda:
Higgins, R. A., Catalogue of the Terracottas in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, second edition, London, British Museum, 1970, I (Plates), Plates 173, 1262-1263 (more complete reclining figures);176, 1280-1283; 180, 1315-1317; 181, 1318-1322 (more of the reclining figure is visible in 1322).

Vafopoulou-Richardson, C. E., Greek Terracottas, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, 1981, 24.