Bas-relief depicting the head of Triton - 1810
A print dated 1810 of an ancient terracotta housed in the British Museum.
in 1761 a group of subterranean chambers were discovered in Sacrofano (16 miles North of Rome, and the previous site of the ancient Etruscan city of Veii), the dome of the largest of these chambers was enriched with paintings, in fresco, representing animals. The whole of the frieze below the dome was ornamented with bas-reliefs in Terracotta, which were fastened to the walls with leaden nails.
The Terracottas (created approx 50-100 BC) were acquired by the British Museum in 1805 from the estate of the late Charles Towneley Esq and are housed at the museum in London to this day. A photo of the original (Courtesy of the British Museum) can be seen in the images posted.
Link to British Museum catalogue entry.
Triton (the god of the sea in Greek mythology) is here depicted flanked by cupids riding dolphins. Somewhat unusual is the presence of leaves on the lower part of Triton’s face, some speculation exists as the intended meaning of this, but they are most likely the leaves of an aquatic plant.
Dimensions (Frame): 203mm x 242mm
A print dated 1810 of an ancient terracotta housed in the British Museum.
in 1761 a group of subterranean chambers were discovered in Sacrofano (16 miles North of Rome, and the previous site of the ancient Etruscan city of Veii), the dome of the largest of these chambers was enriched with paintings, in fresco, representing animals. The whole of the frieze below the dome was ornamented with bas-reliefs in Terracotta, which were fastened to the walls with leaden nails.
The Terracottas (created approx 50-100 BC) were acquired by the British Museum in 1805 from the estate of the late Charles Towneley Esq and are housed at the museum in London to this day. A photo of the original (Courtesy of the British Museum) can be seen in the images posted.
Link to British Museum catalogue entry.
Triton (the god of the sea in Greek mythology) is here depicted flanked by cupids riding dolphins. Somewhat unusual is the presence of leaves on the lower part of Triton’s face, some speculation exists as the intended meaning of this, but they are most likely the leaves of an aquatic plant.
Dimensions (Frame): 203mm x 242mm
A print dated 1810 of an ancient terracotta housed in the British Museum.
in 1761 a group of subterranean chambers were discovered in Sacrofano (16 miles North of Rome, and the previous site of the ancient Etruscan city of Veii), the dome of the largest of these chambers was enriched with paintings, in fresco, representing animals. The whole of the frieze below the dome was ornamented with bas-reliefs in Terracotta, which were fastened to the walls with leaden nails.
The Terracottas (created approx 50-100 BC) were acquired by the British Museum in 1805 from the estate of the late Charles Towneley Esq and are housed at the museum in London to this day. A photo of the original (Courtesy of the British Museum) can be seen in the images posted.
Link to British Museum catalogue entry.
Triton (the god of the sea in Greek mythology) is here depicted flanked by cupids riding dolphins. Somewhat unusual is the presence of leaves on the lower part of Triton’s face, some speculation exists as the intended meaning of this, but they are most likely the leaves of an aquatic plant.
Dimensions (Frame): 203mm x 242mm