Bust of a young and beardless satyr, with the pointed ears of a goat.

Bust of beardless Satyr. Ancient Greek sculpture

Bust of a young and beardless satyr, distinguished, as usual, by the pointed ears of a goat, and by hair in front shaggy and rough, like that of the same animal. At the top and back of the head the hair is of finer quality, with almost feminine curls.

It may be remarked that the face is more rounded than usual, and that the physiognomy is, agreeably to the character of the youthful satyrs, expressive of mental indolence, with a slight dash of petulance, not amounting to rudeness. Of the many representations of satyrs in the museums of continental Europe, perhaps a head in the Glyptothek at Munich (1) comes the nearest to the one before us.

This bust, which was bequeathed by the late R. Payne Knight, Esq., has been much restored, the nose, both the lips, and the breast being modern. It is of Parian marble, and in height without the pedestal, 12 1/2 inches.

(1) Glyptothek at Munich, No. 107. Clarac, PL 728, No. 1745.

Source: A description of the collection of ancient Marbles in the British Museum by Combe Taylor, London 1861.

Related

Asiatic Female with head-dress Cidaris. Persian Phoenician origin.

Head of Minerva with helmet, slightly inclined to the right.

Roman emperor Septimus Severus in Paludamentum and Circular Fibula.

Bust of Minerva. Parian marble. Specimens of Ancient Sculpture.

Female bust of a Bacchante. Maenad of Dionysiac cycle.

Bust of Apollo of great beauty, crowned with a narrow diadem.

Juno crowned with an indented diadem, usually called Stephane.