Terracotta head of a panther

Unknown

1st century CE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

This well-modeled head of a panther served as a spout in antiquity. It is ornamented with a wreath of ivy leaves and clusters of grapes, Dionysian cult symbols. The panther, the most graceful and fascinating but also the most savage and bloodthirsty of all the cats associated with Dionysus, entered into the god's retinue by way of Asia Minor.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st century CE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1912