Alabaster sculpture of Bacchus and Ariadne, Sicilia 17th century.

An alabaster sculpture of Bacchus and Ariadne.

Sicilian, 17th century.

Measures 40 x 22 x 7 cm.

Mounted on its original base, the sculpture remains in fine condition complete with its original gilded highlights.

The alabaster shows the meeting of Ariadne and Bacchus. Princess Ariadne, enamoured with the hero Theseus, assisted him in slaying the Minotaur at Knossos on Crete. However, Theseus later left her on Naxos while she slept. Heartbroken and searching for his ship along the shore, she encountered Bacchus, the wine god, who proposed marriage and gifted her the sky, promising her future as a constellation.