**First Time At Auction**

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A beautiful silver fibula/brooch cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process, depicting a panther striding toward the left with his head bowed, perhaps toward Bacchus (Dionysos). In the Classical World, the panther was an animal associated with Bacchus (Dionysos) - the Olympian god of wine, agriculture, pleasure, theater, and reckless abandon - as the exotic nature of the panther suited the god's carefree nature. Size: 1.5" L x 0.8" H (3.8 cm x 2 cm); total weight: 8.7 grams. Precious metal quality: 94% silver.

Artists in ancient Greece and Rome depicted Dionysos (Bacchus) riding a magnificent panther. For example, a wonderful Greek mosaic from Pella (ca. 4th century BCE) depicts Dionysos riding a panther (Archaeological Museum of Pella). Then there is the marvelous marble sculpture of Dionysus with Panther (ca. 2nd century CE) at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. In addition, another marble sculpture depicting Dionysos with a panther (ca. 150 BCE to 100 CE) is in the esteemed collection of the Yale University Art Gallery (accession number 1956.8.30).

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired between 2000 to 2005; ex-Hadassa Antiques, New York, New York, USA

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#156670

Very slight bending to overall form, with light encrustations along verso, and softening to some finer details. Pin is detached but included. Nice patina throughout.