Antiquorum in Love, Impotant Horology...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 16, 1997

LOT 4

Geneva school, circa 1700. "Satyre et Nymphe endormie"

CHF 2,500 - 3,000

USD 1,800 - 2,100

Sold: CHF 3,439

Gilt brass framed, rectangular with canted corners, enamel on copper, finely painted with a scene featuring Jupiter taking the form of a Satyr to haunt the sleeping Nymph. Dim. 49 x 72 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 18

Spotted

Notes

In Greek mythology Satyrs were immortal creatures of the forest and hills and symbols of nature's wealth. They were attendants of Bacchus (or Dionysus), deriving their half man, half goat features from him. They had the head, arms, and torso of a man and goat-like horns, ears, and hind legs (in Attic art, satyrs had horses' tails); with their horns, they seem very similar to Pan, the god of carnal lust (Faunus in Latin). Satyrs' Latin counterparts were fauns. Satyrs who were lazy and lecherous, loved to frolic, drink, chase nymphs, and play reed instruments. They represent Lust, Luxuria and Libido. With the Maenads, the female attendants of Bacchus, they held orgiastic rites, the Bacchanalia. h1 terms of other attributes, a Satyr may also have a cornucopia or basket of fruit, symbol of fertility.