Curled up silene. Rare statuette representing... Lot 25

Curled up silene. Rare statuette representing a crouched silenus, with well-defined muscles, knees stuck to the torso. His headdress has long neat hair, decorated on its top part with a lion's body falling towards the shoulders, whose paws he holds firmly. Cleaned bronze with remains of concretions. Late Hellenistic period (2nd - 1st century B.C.) Height : 5 cm Known type of which two examples are illustrated in the Répertoire de la statuaire grecque et romaine by Salomon Reinach. PROVENANCE - Collection of Mrs F. - Former French collection, 19th c. The statuette was used as a seal handle in the 19th century. Removed from the seal, it has been carefully plinthed. A difference in patina is visible slightly above the pegs of the silene where the seal matrix was set.