iBelgica
November Auction 2015 13 November 2015
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A CHALCEDONY INTAGLIO SHOWING FACING SILENOS, late 5th century BC (?) and later, 15mm high. Set in a contemporary finger silver ring, partly encrusted in old ferrous concretion, 15.571g, 30mm high
Silenos was a companion and tutor to the wine god Dionysos. A notorious consumer of wine... he was usually drunk and had to be carried by satyrs or donkeys (see lot 22). When intoxicated, he was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy. Silenos is described by Euripides in "The Cyclops" as the servant of the famous Polyphemos, who lived in a cave on Mount Etna.
Silenos was a companion and tutor to the wine god Dionysos. A notorious consumer of wine... he was usually drunk and had to be carried by satyrs or donkeys (see lot 22). When intoxicated, he was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy. Silenos is described by Euripides in "The Cyclops" as the servant of the famous Polyphemos, who lived in a cave on Mount Etna.