Terra Sigillata Bowl Fragment Depicting Amor Riding a Swan

Culture: Roman

Period: 3rd-4th Century A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 5.9 cm x 4.3 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 3791

Provenance: Austrian private collection. Most recently in the collection of Michael Grabner, Vienna, acquired in 2017. Accompanied by an expert opinion and the original invoice from Gerhard Herinek.

Condition: Fragment.

Description: Fragment of a terra sigillata bowl featuring a rare depiction of the winged Amor riding on the back of a swan. The god appears to be taming the proud and passionate bird while spreading both his wings and arms. The swan turns its head backwards, extending its long beak toward Amor’s face in a gesture of desire. Terra sigillata was the characteristic Roman luxury pottery with a finely crafted, glossy red surface, often decorated with mythological and figurative motifs. Such relief decoration could be either moulded directly into the vessel or applied separately as an appliqué. This fragment originates from a North African workshop, identifiable by its somewhat lighter slip. The motif of Amor riding a swan is extremely rare on terra sigillata vessels, though it is known from the Hellenistic period through comparable examples, such as the terracottas in the British Museum with the museum number 1867,0512.23, and in the Louvre Museum with the inventory number Cp 4750. On a custom-made acrylic base.