Ancient Greek, Hellenistic Lead figurine of Dionysus with a patera and a bundle of twigs - 68 mm
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€ 5
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 330 - € 400
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 | €4 | |
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Hellenistic lead figurine of Dionysos with a patera and a bundle of branches, dating to the 3rd–1st century BC, 68 × 27 × 11 mm with a total height of 107 mm on a modern wooden base, authentic and intact, provenance from a Privatsammlung and acquired in 2026 from a German seller.
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Description from the seller
Hellenistic Lead Figurine of Dionysus with Patera and a Bundle of Branches
Greece, 3rd–1st century BC
Rare small-format Hellenistic lead figurine of Dionysus, standing frontal and dressed in a long robe. In his flexed right hand the god holds a patera (sacrificial bowl), while in the left he carries a bundle of branches.
The attributes point directly to the religious realm of Dionysus: The patera was used in ancient cult for the offering of sacrifices, while vegetation is among the central elements of the Dionysian image world. Especially in the small, deliberately simplified representation, the figure thus possesses a particularly immediate cultic effect.
The statuette was cast from lead and is finished on the front view. Particularly beautiful is its unadorned ancient surface with age-related deposits and varying warm brown and ochre tones. The modeling is readable despite the small dimensions: head and neck, the plastically projecting body forms, the bent arms, the long robe, and the two attributes form a clearly recognizable silhouette.
The back is flat in accordance with the ancient manufacturing technique. Today the figure is presented with a metal support on a modern, dark red wooden pedestal (overall height: 107 mm). The simple pedestal allows a very striking freestanding presentation while also keeping the ancient back visible.
With a height of only 68 mm, the object is a particularly vivid example of those small personal works of art through which the religious imaginative world of the Hellenistic era can be experienced directly. Unlike monumental depictions of gods, such small objects were intended to be viewed up close.
Material: Lead
Dimensions of the ancient figure: 68 × 27 × 11 mm
Total height with pedestal: 107 mm
Dating: 3rd–1st century BC
Culture / Origin: Hellenistic, Greece
Condition: Intact
Provenance:
Purchased in 2026 in the German art trade, previously since before 2000 in private collection H. L., Rhineland.
The invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Hellenistic Lead Figurine of Dionysus with Patera and a Bundle of Branches
Greece, 3rd–1st century BC
Rare small-format Hellenistic lead figurine of Dionysus, standing frontal and dressed in a long robe. In his flexed right hand the god holds a patera (sacrificial bowl), while in the left he carries a bundle of branches.
The attributes point directly to the religious realm of Dionysus: The patera was used in ancient cult for the offering of sacrifices, while vegetation is among the central elements of the Dionysian image world. Especially in the small, deliberately simplified representation, the figure thus possesses a particularly immediate cultic effect.
The statuette was cast from lead and is finished on the front view. Particularly beautiful is its unadorned ancient surface with age-related deposits and varying warm brown and ochre tones. The modeling is readable despite the small dimensions: head and neck, the plastically projecting body forms, the bent arms, the long robe, and the two attributes form a clearly recognizable silhouette.
The back is flat in accordance with the ancient manufacturing technique. Today the figure is presented with a metal support on a modern, dark red wooden pedestal (overall height: 107 mm). The simple pedestal allows a very striking freestanding presentation while also keeping the ancient back visible.
With a height of only 68 mm, the object is a particularly vivid example of those small personal works of art through which the religious imaginative world of the Hellenistic era can be experienced directly. Unlike monumental depictions of gods, such small objects were intended to be viewed up close.
Material: Lead
Dimensions of the ancient figure: 68 × 27 × 11 mm
Total height with pedestal: 107 mm
Dating: 3rd–1st century BC
Culture / Origin: Hellenistic, Greece
Condition: Intact
Provenance:
Purchased in 2026 in the German art trade, previously since before 2000 in private collection H. L., Rhineland.
The invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Details
Culture
Ancient Greek, Hellenistic
Century/timeframe
3. - 1. Jh. v. Chr.
Name of object
Lead figurine of Dionysus with a patera and a bundle of twigs
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
68 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1999
Width
27 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
Depth
11 mm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
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