Marble oscillum (disk that hung between columns) from Pompeii

This marble oscillum from Pompeii once hung between columns in colonnade or a tree, probably in a domus' peristyle garden, where they would twist in the breeze (hence the name, which is also the root for 'oscillate'). It depicts a naked satyr, a panther skin draped over his left arm, offering a libation at a flaming altar. He looks skyward and holds a thyrsus - sort of a magic staff - outwards in his right hand. You can tell he's a satyr not only by his nudity, the panther skin, and the wild hair, but by the fluffy tail that emerges from his lower spine.

This would have originally been brightly painted, and traces of visible pigments still remain in the hair and panther paws (red) and around the altar (dark blue-black). Images of oscilla, both round and pelta-shaped (sickle-shaped, with griffin heads at both points) can be seen in the garden fresco from the House of the Golden Bracelet in Pompeii, as seen here: www.pompeiiinpictures.com/pompeiiinpictures/R6/6%2017%204....

Roman
ca. 50-75 CE
From Pompeii

British Museum (1856,1226.1671)

Some rights reserved

Taken on: December 22, 2023

Tags:

ancient

marble

round

satyr

panther skin

lion skin

pelt

tail

altar

thyrsus

Dionysian

Dionysus

Dionysos

nude

naked

libation

offering

British Museum

Pompeii « less

Sets appears in: • Dionysian-Bacchic Art • Roman sculpture more » • British Museum « less

Groups appears in: • Sculpture • British Museum more » • Roman Empire • The Ancient World • Pompeii • Julio Claudian Art, Roman Portraiture and Coins • World Archaeology & Arts/ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ&ΤΕΧΝΕΣ-Rea • Museums of the World • World Archaeology • Ancient Greek and Roman Art • Ancient / Archaeological • Ancient Polychromy « less

Camera: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, f/1.8, 1/50 sec, 6.9mm, ISO 80 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Lens:	iPhone 15 Pro Max back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Aperture:	f/1.8
Exposure Time:	0.02 sec (1/50)
Focal Length:	6.9mm
ISO:	80
Exposure Bias:	-0.117 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	17.1.2
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