SculptureGreek3rd century BCE

Seated Pan

3rd century BCE or later

Description

Mostly complete figurine with a few cracks and modern repairs. Sitting, semi-nude satyr, perhaps the god Pan. Large, oval head cocked to the right, but looking forward. Bald with a singular tuft of hair at the top. The ears are now missing. Two horns, incomplete, rise from the forehead and seem to point back. Ears are missing. Furrowed brows over deep-set eyes; round nose; distinct cheeks, and a smiling, open mouth with full, sensuous lips. He sports a mustache and a long, squared beard. Expression is jovial. Body is less detailed. The figure sits on a bulbous mound, with his right arm bent at the elbow and resting on upper right thigh, and the left arm falling straight down his side and resting on the mound. Body is mostly nude, and vague enough to appear human; the only indications of an animal nature are the bare feet, which are cleft in two, as if hooves, and a short, pointed tail that curves up at the back. A somewhat flimsy mantle is draped over the left thigh, and falls between the spread legs, coyly covering his groin. Would have been painted originally. No white ground extant, but a significant amount of pigment remains. The mantle was painted a bright red, and the mound seems to have been black. Heavy with a solid feel but should be hollow. Mold-made in several bivalve molds. Carefully attached to a narrow, flat, plain base.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Mold-made

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek

Period

Hellenistic period

Century

3rd century BCE