Wall Fragment with Dancing Satyr, Hippocamps, and other Decorative Motifs on Black Ground

From the Getty Museum record

Fragment from the upper zone of a frescoed wall with a dancing satyr, bull’s head, and hippocamps on black ground; the decorative motifs continue to the left on fragment 72.AG.78.2, to the right on fragment 72.AG.78.4 (or 72.AG.78.9), and below on fragment 72.AG.78.10 (or 72.AG.78.11). At the lower edge, gold winged hippocamps holding blue cornucopias flank a diadem topped with an acroterion. The cornucopias support a plain, three-sided red frame with gold borders, which is topped with an illusionistic gold cornice. Cast shadows suggest a light source to the left. From the left edge of this cornice, extends a blue floral motif, and from the right, a gold plant-like rod. Centered above the cornice is an inverted mask stand containing a bull’s head and on top of this is a dancing satyr. The satyr lifts up a rhyta (drinking horn) in his right hand, aiming the stream of wine to his open mouth, and in his left hand, holds a pedum (staff) and situla (bucket). From the ends of the cornice rise thin green staves with regularly spaced bunches of blue and white flowers. The design of this fragment is nearly identical to the decoration on 72.AG.78.5 and 72.AG.78.1.2. Adapted from C. Vermeule, Catalogue of Ancient Art in the J. Paul Getty Museum (1973).