Large Bacchanal Group by Leuteritz for Meissen, 1860

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Bacchus with a nymph, putto and satyr grouped around a wine barrel: the cheerful youthful god, his head crowned with … Read more Bacchus with a nymph, putto and satyr grouped around a wine barrel: the cheerful youthful god, his head crowned with a dense wreath of vines, his loins covered with a large leopard skin, sitting on a wine barrel, supporting his thyrsus staff on one leg with one hand and holding a full glass of wine aloft with the other, at his feet a winged putto tapping wine, next to him a maenad kneeling, pouring wine from a jug to the satyr reclining in the foreground. The group is based on an elongated rock base decorated with foliage and edged in gold. Bacchanalia were cult celebrations held in honour of bacchus, the roman name for dionysus, the god of wine, intoxication, madness and ecstasy. The events consisted of ritual processions, dancing, music and ecstatic celebrations, often involving wine and exuberant moods. Participants included satyrs, maenads (female followers of dionysus), silenes and other mythological figures. Leopards (panthers) and lions were sacred to dionysus, especially leopards with their spotted fur, which was often used as an attribute in the visual arts. Designer: ernst august leuteritz (1818-1893) studied at the academy in dresden, was a sculptor and from 1849 to 1886 he held the position of head of design at the meissen porcelain manufactory, and in 1882 he became professor. He worked on vessel shapes and figures from the 18th century and designed vases, centerpieces and candlesticks in the styles of rococo and classicism. Design of model c 35 x circa 1843-1850. Manufactory: meissen germany dating: made around 1860 material: porcelain, glossy finish technique: handmade porcelain, hand-painted, gold painting style: rococo dimensions: height: 32,0 cm / 12.59 in width: 25,0 cm / 9.84 in depth: 16,0 cm / 6.29 in marks: meissen underglaze blue sword mark of 19th century / first quality model number c 35 x / former's number 107 / painter's number 41 condition: very good this piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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