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Dionysos

WB.1.a     100 BC–1 BC • Bronze • medallion

The beautifully modelled heads decorate handles, perhaps from a funerary chest. These are the only classical objects in the Bequest, acquired by Baron Ferdinand in the last year of his life. They are said to have been found in a tomb near Samsun, in modern Turkey.

Curator's Description

Bronze circular medallion, head of Dionysos in high relief, cast and chased with pendant ribbed ring below for use as handle; head turned to left with fillet across forehead, two ribands issuing from the back of the head and a leopard skin knotted over the left shoulder.

This object was collected and bequeathed to the British Museum by Ferdinand Anselm Rothschild.

What is it?

medallion

Made Of

bronze

Techniques

cast chased high relief

Subjects

classical mythological figure / creature Dionysos/Bacchus

How big is it?

14.3 cm wide, 22.4 cm high, 7.3 cm deep, and it weighs 1.1 kg

Where is it?

London / The British Museum / Room 2A / Case 5b 1

Floor plan 2 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 6c 6d 6e 6f 6g 6h 7a 7b 7c 7d 7e 7f 7g 7h 7i 7j Entrance

Detailed Curatorial Notes

Provenance: None is recorded.

Commentary: The medallions were formerly described as litter handles, however the heads have now been re-attributed since the original British Museum catalogue and it is thought more likely that the handles are for something other than a litter, as the handles do not sit in a position which would make this practical. The deities depicted and the findspot near a cemetery suggest that the handles more likely belonged to a piece of funerary furniture such as a chest.

Bibliography

  • Charles Hercules Read, 'The Waddesdon Bequest: Catalogue of the Works of Art bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898', London, 1902, no. 1, pl. I
  • O.M. Dalton, 'The Waddesdon Bequest', 2nd edn (rev), British Museum, London, 1927, no.1, pl.I
  • H. Tait, 'The Waddesdon Bequest', British Museum, London, 1981, p.13 and figs.3-4
  • L. Summerer, 'Vier Hellenistische Bronzen Aus Amisos', in Archäologischer Anzeiger, 1998, pp.401-14.

    • References

    1. Read 1902: Read, Charles Hercules, The Waddesdon Bequest. Catalogue of the Works of Art Bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898, London, BMP, 1902
    2. Dalton 1927: Dalton, Ormonde Maddock, The Waddesdon Bequest : jewels, plate, and other works of art bequeathed by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild., London, BMP, 1927

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