bulla-pendant;
chain
- Museum number
- 1772,0314.135
- Description
-
Gold bulla; oblong, with rounded ends; two plates, under folded over upper; upper plate in relief within cable border; depicts on the left Dionysus, a nude figure veiled and holding a thyrsos and torch; being supported by Silenos; on the right is Ariadne (?) partly draped and reclining on a seat; she is approached by Pan (who holds a pedum) and a Maenad (?) draped round the loins; the design is worn and indistinct; he bulla is suspended by means of a short chain of large oval links attached to two rings at the top of the plate; to the chain adheres a lump of lava (?).
- Production date
- 1stC-4thC (?)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 4.20 centimetres
-
Weight: 270 grains
- Curator's comments
- Jenkins & Sloan 1996
The decoration shows a female figure, probably Ariadne, asleep on a chair. She is approached by Pan, a young satyr and, on the left, Bacchus with a torch and thyrsus, supported by Silenus. This is the same subject as that shown in the so-called Mantuan Gem. In fact, so close are the two scenes in size and design that the one exactly fits over the other. From this it must be concluded that the first was formed by pressing the gold sheet over the cameo, or a reproduction of it, and that the gold ornament is a forgery.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1772
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1772,0314.135
