Michele Amodio-silenus “sileno Portalampade”-bronze–naples – 19th Century – Grand Tour -

Silenus, known as “Sileno portalampade”

Michele Amodio (Naples, 19th century)

Italy, Naples, second half of the 19th century

Dark-patinated bronze, after the Antique

An important dark-patinated bronze sculpture depicting Silenus, companion of Dionysus, after the celebrated ancient bronze discovered at Pompeii and preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

The work is signed “M. Amodio, Napoli” on the base.

Michele Amodio, a bronzist and founder active in Naples during the 19th century, was particularly renowned for producing bronzes after the great models of Antiquity rediscovered during the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The model

Silenus is depicted in a dynamic and vigorous pose, his body slightly bent and his powerful musculature strongly modelled.

In his left hand, he holds a serpent coiling around his arm, together with a large circular ring surmounted by three finely chased acanthus leaves.

This model, known as the “Sileno portalampade”, is directly derived from the ancient Pompeian bronze. The upper ring was intended to support a lighting element, giving the figure of Silenus both a sculptural and decorative function.

Quality of execution

Fine quality of casting and chasing, particularly visible in the treatment of the face, beard, hair and musculature, as well as in the details of the serpent and vegetal ornamentation.

Silenus stands on a circular base decorated with scrolling foliage and stylised vegetal motifs, bearing the signature:

“M. Amodio, Napoli”

Dimensions

Height: 62 cm
Diameter: 25.5 cm

Condition

Good overall condition.
The cup is missing.

All my objects for sale can be viewed in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris.

For any further information or additional high-resolution photographs, please feel free to contact me at +33 6 12 51 35 29.

Keywords: Michele Amodio, M. Amodio Napoli, Silenus, Sileno portalampade, Italian bronze, Neapolitan bronze, Naples, Pompeii, Grand Tour, 19th century, bronze sculpture, Italian sculpture, after the Antique, antique bronze, National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Herculaneum, Dionysus, Bacchus, archaeology, classical sculpture, Italian art, Neapolitan foundry, Grand Tour bronze.