SculptureRoman1st century BCE-1st century CE

Man or Actor Riding a Donkey

1st century BCE-1st century CE

Description

Almost complete figurine, repaired, with extensive wear on the surface. A man, at least partly nude, riding a donkey side saddled. Bald with pointed, egg-shaped head and protruding ears (right ear missing); likely an actor or slave type. Detailed face with small, sunken eyes, a large, pointy nose, slightly parted lips, small, rounded chin, and a thick neck. Body with odd proportions; small and narrow at the upper chest, but with larger, bulging belly. Something sits in between the spread legs, likely a prosthetic phallus. The man leans with his left arm upon the neck of the donkey. His right arm falls to his side and holds something bulbous, a bag perhaps. The donkey stands in profile, facing right. A long, horse-like face with long ears that arch up and back. It stands on a tall, uneven base. Covered in green lead-glaze. Hollow with open bottom. Mold-made in a single bivalve mold. Proper right side of the donkey intended as main view. Back is minimally modeled, with some indication of form down to the donkey’s trunk; plain below.

Classification

Sculpture

Technique

Mold-made

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Period

Roman Imperial period, Early

Century

1st century BCE-1st century CE