The Drunken Herakles supported by Priapus
Casket Panel
second half of 10th century (made)
second half of 10th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is an ivory panel from a casket made in the second half of 10th century. The panel depicts a large figure of Heracles, naked except for a large cloak, and holding a spear and he is supported by a smaller, fully dressed figure, who appears to tweak Herakles' left nipple.
The scene illustrates the drunkenness of Herakles at the Court of Omphale. It is possible that the present plaque formed part of a rosette casket dedicated to mythological figures. The good quality of the carving and the use of ivory rather than bone suggest that this would have been one of the grander examples of the genre and a date in the second half of the tenth century is most likely.
The scene illustrates the drunkenness of Herakles at the Court of Omphale. It is possible that the present plaque formed part of a rosette casket dedicated to mythological figures. The good quality of the carving and the use of ivory rather than bone suggest that this would have been one of the grander examples of the genre and a date in the second half of the tenth century is most likely.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Drunken Herakles supported by Priapus (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
| Brief description | Casket panel, ivory, depicting the drunken Hercules, supported by a man, Byzantine (Constantinople), second half of 10th century |
| Physical description | This panel depicts a large figure of Heracles, naked except for a large cloak, and holding a spear, is supported by a smaller, fully dressed figure, who appears to tweak Herakles' left nipple. The top right-hand corner, which is cut away, shows on the cut face traces of the earlier carving of a border of pearled ornament. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | In the possession of John Webb, purchased from Webb in 1867. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is an ivory panel from a casket made in the second half of 10th century. The panel depicts a large figure of Heracles, naked except for a large cloak, and holding a spear and he is supported by a smaller, fully dressed figure, who appears to tweak Herakles' left nipple. The scene illustrates the drunkenness of Herakles at the Court of Omphale. It is possible that the present plaque formed part of a rosette casket dedicated to mythological figures. The good quality of the carving and the use of ivory rather than bone suggest that this would have been one of the grander examples of the genre and a date in the second half of the tenth century is most likely. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 288-1867 |
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| Record created | September 12, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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