Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Papposilenos Playing the Double Flute
3rd-2nd century BCE (Hellenistic)
solid cast bronze
(Ancient Greece )
(Ancient Greece )
Papposilenus was an aged, semi-bestial companion of Dionysus. He is playing a double flute (restored). Both silens and satyrs were often depicted with this exotic instrument of Asian origin. According to Aristotle, the lyre calmed the emotions, but the flute excited them, as can be seen by the figure's lively and twisting pose.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Madame E. Warneck Collection Sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 1905, no. 90; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1905, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1988-1989 | From Alexander to Cleopatra: Greek Art of the Hellenistic Age. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 10/13/1972 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 10/13/1972 | Treatment | cleaned; repaired |
| 10/29/1973 | Treatment | cleaned |
| 10/29/1973 | Treatment | cleaned; other |
| 11/4/1988 | Treatment | cleaned; repaired; loss compensation |
| 1/10/1995 | Examination | examined for condition |
Measurements
4 5/16 x 2 3/16 x 2 1/16 in. (11 x 5.5 x 5.3 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1905
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.1076