Ancient Roman Bronze Figure god Pan/Faunus with Bull. 13 cm H. 1st - 2nd Century AD
03
days
11
hours
10
minutes
28
seconds
Current bid
€ 1,101
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 5,800 - € 6,400
 | €1,101 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €1,001 | |
 | €340 | |
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Ancient Roman bronze figure of Pan/Faunus with a bull, 13 cm high (with stand) and 11 cm wide, in good original condition with patina; provenance private collection, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Decoration of carriage or furniture with a Pan (Faunus) and a Bull.
Roman Empire, 1st - 2nd Century AD
Bronze
13 cm height and 11 cm width with stand.
9,5 cm height and 10 cm width without stand.
PROVENANCE:
- Private collection, Amsterdan, Netherlands, 1960 - 1980.
- Thence by descendent.
Condition: Good, not restoration, nice patina, see photos.
In ancient Roman art, a figure of Pan with a bull carries deep symbolic meaning rooted in religion, nature, and fertility. Although Pan was originally a Greek god, the Romans adopted him and closely associated him with Faunus, a rustic deity connected to forests, fields, livestock, and fertility.
Pan is typically represented as a hybrid being, half man and half goat, with horns, a beard, and goat legs. He was the god of wild nature, shepherds, flocks, and untamed landscapes. Unlike the more orderly Olympian gods, Pan embodied the raw, instinctive forces of the natural world. He was also linked to music, particularly the pan flute (syrinx), and to sudden fear—indeed, the word “panic” derives from his name, reflecting the sudden terror people believed he could inspire in lonely wilderness places.
The bull, on the other hand, was a powerful symbol in Roman and Mediterranean culture. It represented strength, virility, fertility, and physical power. Bulls were valuable animals in agricultural societies, essential for plowing fields and sustaining rural life. They were also frequently used in religious sacrifices, symbolizing vitality and divine energy offered to the gods.
When Pan is depicted with a bull in ancient art, the combination usually emphasizes themes of fertility and natural power. Pan represents untamed nature and sexual energy, while the bull embodies masculine strength and reproductive force. Together, they form a strong symbol of abundance, life force, and agricultural prosperity. Such imagery would have resonated deeply in rural Roman society, where survival depended on successful harvests and healthy livestock.
It is also important to understand the role of satyrs in this context. Satyrs were mythological beings associated with Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. Like Pan, satyrs were part human and part goat, and they symbolized instinct, sexuality, revelry, and the uninhibited aspects of nature. However, while Pan was a specific god with cult worship and divine status, satyrs were lesser nature spirits—companions of Dionysus—often depicted as playful, lustful, and mischievous.
In summary, an ancient Roman figure of Pan with a bull likely represents the powerful union of natural forces: fertility, virility, wilderness, and agricultural abundance. It reflects a worldview in which nature was alive, sacred, and driven by primal energy—both creative and unpredictable.
#sicillianpalazzo
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
-We are a professional seller.
- All items sold will come with their professional invoice.
- All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), including the description, image and provenance of the item.
- All items will be shipped via private courier with insurance (DHL express, CORREOS of Spain, or other similar with tracking number).
- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateDecoration of carriage or furniture with a Pan (Faunus) and a Bull.
Roman Empire, 1st - 2nd Century AD
Bronze
13 cm height and 11 cm width with stand.
9,5 cm height and 10 cm width without stand.
PROVENANCE:
- Private collection, Amsterdan, Netherlands, 1960 - 1980.
- Thence by descendent.
Condition: Good, not restoration, nice patina, see photos.
In ancient Roman art, a figure of Pan with a bull carries deep symbolic meaning rooted in religion, nature, and fertility. Although Pan was originally a Greek god, the Romans adopted him and closely associated him with Faunus, a rustic deity connected to forests, fields, livestock, and fertility.
Pan is typically represented as a hybrid being, half man and half goat, with horns, a beard, and goat legs. He was the god of wild nature, shepherds, flocks, and untamed landscapes. Unlike the more orderly Olympian gods, Pan embodied the raw, instinctive forces of the natural world. He was also linked to music, particularly the pan flute (syrinx), and to sudden fear—indeed, the word “panic” derives from his name, reflecting the sudden terror people believed he could inspire in lonely wilderness places.
The bull, on the other hand, was a powerful symbol in Roman and Mediterranean culture. It represented strength, virility, fertility, and physical power. Bulls were valuable animals in agricultural societies, essential for plowing fields and sustaining rural life. They were also frequently used in religious sacrifices, symbolizing vitality and divine energy offered to the gods.
When Pan is depicted with a bull in ancient art, the combination usually emphasizes themes of fertility and natural power. Pan represents untamed nature and sexual energy, while the bull embodies masculine strength and reproductive force. Together, they form a strong symbol of abundance, life force, and agricultural prosperity. Such imagery would have resonated deeply in rural Roman society, where survival depended on successful harvests and healthy livestock.
It is also important to understand the role of satyrs in this context. Satyrs were mythological beings associated with Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. Like Pan, satyrs were part human and part goat, and they symbolized instinct, sexuality, revelry, and the uninhibited aspects of nature. However, while Pan was a specific god with cult worship and divine status, satyrs were lesser nature spirits—companions of Dionysus—often depicted as playful, lustful, and mischievous.
In summary, an ancient Roman figure of Pan with a bull likely represents the powerful union of natural forces: fertility, virility, wilderness, and agricultural abundance. It reflects a worldview in which nature was alive, sacred, and driven by primal energy—both creative and unpredictable.
#sicillianpalazzo
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
-We are a professional seller.
- All items sold will come with their professional invoice.
- All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), including the description, image and provenance of the item.
- All items will be shipped via private courier with insurance (DHL express, CORREOS of Spain, or other similar with tracking number).
- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 2nd Century AD
Name of object
Figure god Pan/Faunus with Bull. 13 cm H. 1st - 2nd Century AD
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
