Roman statuette of infant Bacchus

Roman statuette of infant Bacchus
ITEM: Statuette of infant Bacchus
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st Century B.C - 2nd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 70 mm x 47 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, bought in English auction house. Ex English private collection, acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Roman depiction of Bacchus as an infant highlights the god’s dual nature as both a figure of fertility, growth, and indulgence. Bacchus, known as Dionysus in Greek mythology, was the god of wine, revelry, and ecstasy, but his role as a symbol of natural fertility and rebirth is emphasized in images of him as a child. The portrayal of Bacchus as an infant often emphasizes his connection to the cycles of nature, growth, and the harvest, reinforcing his association with the bountiful gifts of the earth, particularly wine. These images were common in Roman art, appearing in sculptures, frescoes, and reliefs, often showing the baby Bacchus in the care of nymphs, satyrs, or his adoptive father, Silenus.

In Roman art, the infant Bacchus is frequently depicted surrounded by symbols of abundance, such as grapevines, ivy, and animals like leopards, which were sacred to him. These representations often had a playful, carefree quality, celebrating the innocence of youth while also foreshadowing Bacchus's later role as the god of ecstatic joy and uncontrolled revelry. The portrayal of Bacchus as a child often invoked themes of growth and the passage from childhood to adulthood, mirroring the way the vine grows and matures before it produces wine. His imagery served as a reminder of the eternal cycle of birth, growth, decay, and renewal that governed not only the natural world but also human existence.

The infant Bacchus also carried significant religious and cultural meaning in Roman society. As the god who brought the art of winemaking to humanity, his childlike form could symbolize the nurturing care required for cultivating vineyards, reflecting both agricultural labor and divine blessing. Additionally, Bacchus was closely linked to mystery cults, where his role as a symbol of rebirth and eternal life was central. Devotees of Bacchus, particularly in the Bacchic Mysteries, would celebrate him not just as the god of wine, but as a deity who represented life’s transformations and the liberation of the soul. Thus, the image of Bacchus as an infant encapsulates both his nurturing, fertile aspect and his later association with spiritual release and celebration.

Measurement:

4.7 x 7 cm