Explore Collections

You are here:
CollectionsOnline
/
Cinerary vase carved with bacchanalian heads and vine leaves
Browse
Curatorial note
Beneath and between two scroll volute handles, a continuous wreath of grapes, leaves, and vine. In the upper centre, balancing the handles, appear two young, male, Bacchic heads, crowned with an extension of the grape vine, in full frontal view. For similar masks on a large Piranesi-type cinerary vase, of even more elaborate design than the present, compare no. 209 from the Hope Heirlooms sale (Christie's 23 July 1917, from Deepdene).
Purchased by John Soane at Robert Adam's Sale, Christie's, 22 May 1818, the second of two marble vases sold as Lot. 96, A cylindrical cinerary urn and cover with rich festoons [Soane A44] and 1 with masks and vines [this vase], which Soane bought for £10.15.0.
Literature
Description of Sir John Soane's Museum, 1930, p.83, fig. 49 (right end).
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk