Roman Statuette of a Reclining Man
Roman Statuette of a Reclining Man
This statuette represents an adult, though beardless man with youthful features.
1st century B.C., 2nd century A.D.
L: 15 cm
In stock
Product Description
This statuette represents an adult, though beardless man with youthful features. His pupils are inlaid (black glass or obsidian); his left forearm, now lost, was made separately: in his hand, he probably held a cup, like a guest at a symposium.
The man was lying on the side on a banquet couch (a kline), with an elbow and/or the torso leaning on cushions. Richly dressed, he wears a finely pleated tunic that reaches his feet and whose long sleeves are tight. The short hair entirely uncovers the face.
After the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great (4th century B.C.), Mesopotamian art was influenced by Hellenistic art, both stylistically and thematically. The exact meaning of stone or terracotta reclining statuettes is still unknown (women are more frequent than men): the excavation data indicate that they often come from necropolises, which relates them to the chthonic sphere. Their attitude undoubtedly refers to the funeral banquet, largely widespread throughout the Mediterranean world; but it is impossible to determine whether they represent a deity, the image of a deceased figure, a visitor, etc.
