Silenus thumbnail 1
Silenus thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Silenus

Plaque
3rd century to 4th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This plaque or panel representing Silenus is of Egyptian origin from the 3rd or 4th century (Coptic - late Antique) and was intended for applying to a casket.

Similar carvings, many of which follow the more or less convex curve of the bone, have been found in great quantities, chiefly in the district of Alexandria. The figure subjects are usually taken from mythology and are similar to those on textiles, but occasionally biblical scenes occur. The carvings were probably used in the decoration of wooden caskets.

Coptic refers to the Copts, which are Christian Egyptians with ancient origins dating back to the first century.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSilenus (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved bone in low relief
Brief description
Plaque, bone, of male figure, Egypt, Coptic, 3rd or 4th century
Physical description
Rectangular and of curved section. A bald-headed, bearded old man of ample proportions stands to the front; he is nude except for a drapery which passes across the lower part of the body and hangs in bold folds from the left shoulder; above his shoulder is the wine-skin, the nozzle of which he presses, holding the bowl pressed to his beast. The left upper corner of the plaque is broken away, also much of the lower part including the greater part of the legs.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.52cm
  • Width: 4.76cm
  • Thickness: 2.22cm
Style
Object history
Acquired in Paris.
Historical context
Similar carvings, many of which follow the more or less convex curve of the bone, have been found in great quantities, chiefly in the district of Alexandria. The figure subjects are usually taken from mythology and are similar to those on textiles, but occasionally biblical scenes occur. The carvings were probably used in the decoration of wooden caskets.
Production
Coptic
Subjects depicted
Summary
This plaque or panel representing Silenus is of Egyptian origin from the 3rd or 4th century (Coptic - late Antique) and was intended for applying to a casket.

Similar carvings, many of which follow the more or less convex curve of the bone, have been found in great quantities, chiefly in the district of Alexandria. The figure subjects are usually taken from mythology and are similar to those on textiles, but occasionally biblical scenes occur. The carvings were probably used in the decoration of wooden caskets.

Coptic refers to the Copts, which are Christian Egyptians with ancient origins dating back to the first century.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1905, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 166
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part I. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1927, p. 22
  • Beckwith, John. Coptic Sculpture. London, 1963, pp. 12, 49, fig. 26
  • Grodecki, Louis. Ivoires Français. Paris, 1947, palte III and p. 23
Collection
Accession number
823-1905

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Record createdDecember 11, 2008
Record URL
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