Ancient Roman Bronze Tondo depicting a Satyr

ITEM: Tondo depicting a Satyr
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 61 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1980

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license.

If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.

A Roman tondo refers to a circular artwork or relief, often used for portraits, mythological scenes, or decorative motifs. The term tondo, derived from the Italian word for “round,” describes these circular formats, which were popular in Roman wall decorations, sculptures, and mosaics. The tondo form provided a unique aesthetic that framed subjects with a sense of intimacy, inviting the viewer into the scene in a manner distinct from traditional rectangular compositions. In Roman architecture and interior design, tondi were often installed on walls or ceilings, either as freestanding pieces or embedded in frescoes, where they contributed to the overall decorative scheme of Roman homes, temples, and public buildings.

Roman tondi served various purposes depending on their subject matter. Portrait tondi frequently featured emperors, gods, or family members, with the circular shape emphasizing the face and expression of the subject, often in a heroic or divine context. These pieces served not only as personal art but also as political propaganda, particularly when depicting emperors or deities, as the round frame lent the subjects a celestial, eternal quality. Other tondi might depict mythological scenes, capturing stories from Roman and Greek mythology in a way that highlighted key figures and moments. This focus on central figures within the tondo format made these works effective storytelling devices in Roman visual culture.

In funerary and architectural settings, tondi were used to create a sense of continuity and movement. In Roman sarcophagi, for example, circular motifs framed individual figures or scenes, contributing to a rhythmic narrative flow.