Furniture Support with Satyr Playing Pipes

Unknown

80 B.C.–A.D. 125

Marble

J. Paul Getty Museum

A marble relief depicts a male figure, possibly a satyr, playing a double pipe. The figure is nude except for a draped cloth over its shoulder and back, and stands on a rough base. Relief of a satyr carved on a pyramidal slab with a molded base (left lower corner broken off). The satyr plays an aulos (double flute) and wears a nebris (animal skin cloak), which is tied about his neck. He stands on the balls of his feet, lightly stepping forward with his right leg. His pose twists slightly at the hips. His head, bent towards his chest, is shown in full profile, the torso is turned frontally, and the legs and feet are rendered in profile. The relief is Roman, but it may have been reworked in the early modern period. The relief's original function is unknown, possibly a table support or votive statue. Spink & Son