100-200 CE

Dancing Satyr

In Greco-Roman mythology, the satyr is a nature deity with ears and a tail resembling those of a horse. This bronze statuette is a fine example of the type made by ancient Roman sculptors for use as decoration in private residences, or as votives (gifts made to fulfill a vow). It was likely produced in the Roman province of Syria, a huge region that encompassed the borders of several modern Middle Eastern countries and was bounded on one side by the Mediterranean Sea. In the 1400s, especially in Italy, archaeological activity fueled interest in this type of ancient sculpture and inspired emulation—and in some cases outright copies—by contemporary artists. A French collector, Edmond Foulc, acquired this bronze in the 1800s for comparison with his collection of Renaissance bronzes.