Greek Limestone Relief: Maenads

An ancient Greek limestone relief of four maenads in an ecstatic state hunting a stag with swords and spears, wearing chitons and billowing himations and holding thyrsoi.

Taras

Ca. 300 – 280 BC.

Length: 26 3/4 in. (68 cm).

Maenads (also Bacchantes) were the frenzied female members of the retinue of Dionysos, the Greek god of wine and revelry (Roman: Bacchus). Maenads, literally “the raving ones,” were often depicted in Greek art as wild and ecstatic women who indulged in sex, violence, and intoxication.

Cf. J. C. Carter, “The Sculpture of Taras,” Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, vol. 65, part 7,(1975), p.94, pl. 60c.

Formerly in an English private collection.

Inv#: 9259-1

Price On Request

Guaranteed Authentic

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Greek Limestone Relief: Maenads

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