ADAM'S THE LIBRARY COLLECTION 29th April 2025

99 www.adams.ie The Library Collection | 29 th April 2025 167 A LIFE-SIZE CERAMIC MODEL OF ARIADNE / A MAENAD, standing with a panther by her left side, with long flowing hair crowned by an ivy band, wearing loose drapery, standing on round base, 160cm high € 3,000 - 5,000 In Greek mytholody Maenads were the fmale followers of Dionysus. They were the most signifcant members of the Thiasus, an estatic gathering of his worshippers. In artworks they are often protrayed in a state of excit- ed frenzy, dancing or drinking wine. In in this present example the figure looks down smiling at the panther seated at her feet. An ivy wreath, a symbol associat- ed with maenads, is wrapped around her head, falling gracefully over her shoulder and legs. Dionsyus also often carries a sceptre wound with trailing ivy. The panther is closely related to Dionysus reprensenting his free and untamed nature and he is often depicted carrying the animal skin. Depictions of maenads are often seen on red and black Greek pottery vessels or as a large scale marble, bronze and porcelain figural sculptures.