Getty Villa7974
Tripod Components
Roman, first century BC-first century AD
Ash wood and Ivory
Found in the seaside pavilion, 2007
The most recent excavations yielded several pieces of ivory veneered wooden furniture, including tripods (three legged stands). They were probably transported from their original locations by the force of the volcanic eruption. All are adorned with low relief carvings of Baccic themes. One tripod leg represents the god Bacchus himself on the outer face. Elsewhere cupids prepare sacrifices of fruits and pine cones before herms of the god and a satyr. A flaming altar, cymbals, fillets, and a basket are among the other ritual implements depicted.
Now badly damaged, the ivories were likely once painted and gilded. The tripod legs rested on feet in the form of lion's paws and were stabilized by horizontal hoops with reliefs of laurel branches and bucrania (skulls of sacrificial bulls). Whether the tripods held a bowl, a cauldron, or a celestial sphere remains uncertain.
Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, 14, 04, F1, 6-7-14
Getty Villa7974
Tripod Components
Roman, first century BC-first century AD
Ash wood and Ivory
Found in the seaside pavilion, 2007
The most recent excavations yielded several pieces of ivory veneered wooden furniture, including tripods (three legged stands). They were probably transported from their original locations by the force of the volcanic eruption. All are adorned with low relief carvings of Baccic themes. One tripod leg represents the god Bacchus himself on the outer face. Elsewhere cupids prepare sacrifices of fruits and pine cones before herms of the god and a satyr. A flaming altar, cymbals, fillets, and a basket are among the other ritual implements depicted.
Now badly damaged, the ivories were likely once painted and gilded. The tripod legs rested on feet in the form of lion's paws and were stabilized by horizontal hoops with reliefs of laurel branches and bucrania (skulls of sacrificial bulls). Whether the tripods held a bowl, a cauldron, or a celestial sphere remains uncertain.
Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, 14, 04, F1, 6-7-14