2-725-238 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Candelabrum Stand of a Dancing Maenad, 525-500 BC. The woodland turtle beneath one of the maenad's feet identifies her. The work maenad means "frenzied woman." and woman who followed the god of wine- Dionysus- performed their rites in the woods and mountains, with an ecstatic frenzy that earned them their name. Silhouette was of paramount importance to the early Etruscan artist. This elegant figure was conceived as separate front and back views, with virtually no side views. Its look is rather similar to the appearance of dancing figures painted on Greek vases, which were imported in quantity by the Etruscans. Possibly the artist who created this bronze--which was originally the support of an incense burner--was inspired by Greek vase painting.