★ EXCEPTIONAL! ★

Roman herm of youthful Bacchus

ITEM: Herm of youthful Bacchus
MATERIAL: Marble, Rosso Antico
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 2nd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 132 mm x 105 mm x 50 mm, without stand
CONDITION: Good condition. Includes stand and a certificate of search in the stolen works of art of Interpol database
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex À la Reine Margot (1975), Ex Galerie Orient - Occident (1973), Paris, France.

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.

This object has been verified in the the stolen works of art of Interpol database and is accompanied by a search certificate by us.

Bacchus was the god of wine, revelry, and ecstatic celebration, often depicted as a youthful and exuberant figure. A herm is a type of sculpture commonly used in ancient Rome, characterized by a rectangular pillar with a bust or head at the top, and sometimes a body. The Roman version of the youthful Bacchus would often emphasize his youthful beauty and vitality, capturing the spirit of youth, pleasure, and divine intoxication. These sculptures were commonly placed in gardens, private homes, and temples as symbols of enjoyment and luxury, reflecting the Roman aristocracy's admiration for indulgence.

In artistic terms, the Roman herm of Bacchus typically presents the god as an idealized young man, sometimes adorned with symbols of his divine attributes. Bacchus is often shown wearing a wreath of ivy or grapes, referencing his association with wine and the vine. His expression is typically playful, evoking a sense of carefree joy and the pleasures of the senses. Roman sculptors were heavily influenced by earlier Greek representations of Dionysus, particularly the Late Classical and Hellenistic styles, which celebrated the god’s beauty and vitality. In Roman art, however, Bacchus was often given a more naturalistic treatment, emphasizing a more humanized and relatable version of the god. This made Bacchus one of the most approachable and universally appreciated deities in Roman culture, particularly among the elite who were drawn to the hedonistic aspects of his persona.

The youthful Bacchus was not just a symbol of indulgence but also a representation of fertility, renewal, and the natural cycle of life. His role as a god who brought both joy and chaos made him a popular subject in Roman art and literature, especially during the Imperial period. Sculptures of Bacchus, such as the herm, were often used in private villas and banquet halls, where they functioned as decorative pieces that reflected the social atmosphere of feasting and entertainment. Additionally, the youthful Bacchus symbolized the transient pleasures of life, a reminder of the fleeting nature of youth and revelry.