Large Head Vase of a Satyr from the Workshop of Olitresis

Culture: Roman/Africa proconsularis

Period: around 300 A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 25 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 3605

Provenance: German art market 1990s, from there acquired by a Dutch collection. 2008 published in: Dénes Gabler and András Márton “Head-Pots in the Antiquities Collection”, p. 51. In „Bulletin du Musée Hongrois des Beaux-Arts, 2008, No. 108-109 (without picture). Last in the French art market.

Condition: Intact

Description: Large and extraordinarily beautifully preserved vase of the Red-Slip ware or terra sigillata in form of a satyr’s head. The expressive face with grotesque features. The sculpturally bulging, ribbed brows turn towards the nose and form far protruding forehead wrinkles. The satyr has his eyes open to a starry gaze, and shows his teeth above a far protruding chin-dimple. On his head he wears a diadem, which is adorned on both sides with rosettes. Under the diadem thick strands cascade on his forehead. The high, funnel-shaped spout has a stamped, two-line inscription mentioning the manufacturer: “OLITRESIS EX OFICIS” - from the workshop of Olitresis. The vase made from models has a handle that starts on the shoulder and reaches to the round back of the head. The hair on the back of the head was incised with the graver into the clay. The vase originates from the Roman province Africa proconsularis, today Tunisia, possibly from Henchir Es-Srira. See for a very similar vase the example in the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest with the inventory number 20025.A, though it is not signed. In the publication about the vase in Budapest the present vase is mentioned. See: Dénes Gabler und András Márton “Head-Pots in the Antiquities Collection”, p. 51. In „Bulletin du Musée Hongrois des Beaux-Arts, 2008, No. 108-109.