Thyrsus Collection

Bacchante with Thyrsus, c1880. Creator: Henry Cros
Bacchante with Thyrsus , c1880

A depiction of a dancing Bacchante holding a thrysus on a disc. Sculpture, Lateran Museum, Rome. Today in Gregoriano Profano Museum (formerly Lateran Museum), Vatican Museums

Satyr with Thyrsus (engraving)
7193862 Satyr with Thyrsus (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Satyr with Thyrsus)

Bacchanal, 1871 (oil on canvas)
1262846 Bacchanal, 1871 (oil on canvas) by Alma-Tadema, Lawrence (1836-1912); 42.5x82.6 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Bacchante, with the thyrsus (engraving)
5200783 Bacchante, with the thyrsus (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bacchante, with the thyrsus)

The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos, detail of two centaurs, House of Aion, Paphos
617885 The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos, detail of two centaurs, House of Aion, Paphos, Cyprus (mosaic) by Roman, (3rd century AD); House of Aion, Kato Paphos

Satyr and Maenad, illustration from Greek Vase Paintings by J. E. Harrison and D. S
LLM438529 Satyr and Maenad, illustration from Greek Vase Paintings by J. E. Harrison and D. S. MacColl, published 1894 (digitaly enhanced image) by English School

Dance of maenads to Dionysos, illustration from Greek Vase Paintings by J. E. Harrison and D. S
LLM438539 Dance of maenads to Dionysos, illustration from Greek Vase Paintings by J. E. Harrison and D. S. MacColl, published 1894 (digitaly enhanced image) by English School

Maenad, illustration from Greek Vase Paintings by J. E. Harrison and D. S
LLM438514 Maenad, illustration from Greek Vase Paintings by J. E. Harrison and D. S. MacColl, published 1894 (digitaly enhanced image) by English School

The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos, detail of two centaurs, House of Aion, Paphos
696746 The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos, detail of two centaurs, House of Aion, Paphos, Cyprus (mosaic) by Roman, (3rd century AD); House of Aion, Kato Paphos

A centaur charms a Maenad, detail from The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos
696744 A centaur charms a Maenad, detail from The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos, House of Aion, Paphos, Cyprus (mosaic) by Roman, (3rd century AD); House of Aion, Kato Paphos

Mercury, illustration from Festkalender published in Leipzig c
AFC215861 Mercury, illustration from Festkalender published in Leipzig c.1910 (colour litho) by Thoma, Hans (1839-1924); Private Collection; German, out of copyright

Attic red-figure column-crater on black background, decorated with figures of Bacchante
XIR370266 Attic red-figure column-crater on black background, decorated with figures of Bacchante and Satyr (ceramic) by Greek, (5th century BC); Musee des Beaux-Arts et d Archeologie, Besancon

Bacchic initiation rites
Bacchic rite. Women offering figs on platters to Bacchus, and seated woman in an initiation rite accompanied by a genius of Ceres (boy with wings)

Bacchus contemplates the sleeping Ariadne on Naxos
Bacchus, an amorino, and his tutor Silenus with long thyrsus, contemplate the sleeping Ariadne on the island of Naxos. Copperplate engraving by Tommaso Piroli from his Antiquities of Herculaneum

Six satyrs or fauns performing on a tightrope. Two carry a thyrsus, one plays a tibia, one plays a lyre, one pours wine from one vase to another, and one balances with his hands together

Bacchus with thyrsus, tripod horn and crown of leaves standing in a forest. He stands on a drunken satyr in front of a statue of Priapus

Canephorae virgin in a rite of Bacchus
Canephorae virgin with thyrsus, crown of vine leaves, and basket of fruit leading a rite of Bacchus. Copperplate engraving by Tommaso Piroli from his Antiquities of Herculaneum (Antichita di Ercolano)

The Warwick Vase (colour litho)
3093851 The Warwick Vase (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Warwick Vase)

Attic Red-figure hydria, 460-450 BC (ceramic)
CZA228733 Attic Red-figure hydria, 460-450 BC (ceramic) by Nausicaa Painter (fl.460-450); height: 36 cm; Czartoryski Museum, Cracow, Poland; (add.info.: hydrie; ); Greek, out of copyright

Design for a ceiling in the Hudde House, The Hague (pen and brown ink and w / c on paper)
XKH145248 Design for a ceiling in the Hudde House, The Hague (pen and brown ink and w/c on paper) by Wit, Jacob de (1695-1754); 25.6x34.8 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; Dutch

The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos, House of Aion, Paphos, Cyprus (mosaic)
696741 The Triumphant Procession of Dionysos, House of Aion, Paphos, Cyprus (mosaic) by Roman, (3rd century AD); House of Aion, Kato Paphos

Attic red figure kylix depicting Dionysus and the Maenads, by the painter Makron, c
REV116819 Attic red figure kylix depicting Dionysus and the Maenads, by the painter Makron, c.490-80 BC (ceramic) by Greek; height: 33 cm; Louvre, Paris, France; Greek, out of copyright

Scene of Dionysian Mysteries (detail of 242795) (stucco) (b / w photo)
ALI242796 Scene of Dionysian Mysteries (detail of 242795) (stucco) (b/w photo) by Roman, (1st century AD); Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome

Attic red-figure vase depicting a Dionysian scene (pottery)
XZL151569 Attic red-figure vase depicting a Dionysian scene (pottery) by Greek, (5th century BC); National Archaeological Museum, Athens

Bacchus Riding a Leopard, 1st-2nd century AD (mosaic)
BUN130177 Bacchus Riding a Leopard, 1st-2nd century AD (mosaic) by Roman; Archaeological Museum, Thessaloniki, Greece; eMartin Riedl; out of copyright

Initiation rites of the cult of Dionysus, fresco from the Villa Dei Mysteri
XIR57189 Initiation rites of the cult of Dionysus, fresco from the Villa Dei Mysteri, 1st century BC (fresco) by Roman, (1st century BC); Villa dei Misteri, Pompeii

Bacchanalian, reclined on a couch, with his thyrsus, a tripod and candelabrum by his side (engraving)
5200779 Bacchanalian, reclined on a couch, with his thyrsus, a tripod and candelabrum by his side (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bacchanalian)

The Great Dish from the Mildenhall treasure, Roman Britain, 4th century. The face in the centre represents Oceanus, with dolphins in his hair and a beard formed of seaweed

Bacchus Quam male Dive tuos effundis Bacche racemos
Bacchus Quam male Dive tuos, effundis Bacche racemos. Abstine tam charam nil facit illa manum (title on object), Bacchus, crowned with vine leaves and grapes

Spain. Castile and Leon. Sahagun. The Church of Saint Thyrsus (San Tirso). 12th century. Mudejar style with triple apse and a tower above the straight section of the central apse

Roman Art. Spain. Mosaic of Bacchus. 2nd century A.C. It comes from Italica (Seville). Bacchus crowned with vine leaves and armed with thyrsus topped with the spearhead

bas-relief depicting satyr left holding two infants
Artokoloro

Maenad playing the Pipe, 1735-38
BAL87532 Maenad playing the Pipe, 1735-38 by Boucher, Francois (1703-70); 49x62 cm; Pushkin Museum, Moscow, Russia; French, out of copyright

Greek Religious and Military Dress, from Trachten der Voelker, 1864 (colour
BAL246072 Greek Religious and Military Dress, from Trachten der Voelker, 1864 (colour litho) by Kretschmer, Albert (1825-91); Private Collection; German, out of copyright

Greek Theatrical Dress, from Trachten der Voelker, 1864 (colour litho)
BAL246071 Greek Theatrical Dress, from Trachten der Voelker, 1864 (colour litho) by Kretschmer, Albert (1825-91); Private Collection; German, out of copyright

The Vintage Festival in Ancient Rome, 1871 (oil on canvas)
XKH141018 The Vintage Festival in Ancient Rome, 1871 (oil on canvas) by Alma-Tadema, Lawrence (1836-1912); 77x177 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; English, out of copyright

Third style fresco depicting funambolist Seleni, detail of Silenus holding thyrsus
Roman civilization, 1st century A.D. Third style fresco depicting funambolist Seleni. From Pompei, so-called Villa of Cicero. Detail: Silenus holding thyrsus

Panther and wine symbols, Roman mosaic. Mosaics consist of small pieces of coloured glass or stone, used to form an image or pattern on a floor or wall

4 Female Greek Dancers
Four female dancers : each carries a thyrsus, and one a tambourine as well

Female Centaur & Thyrsus
A centauress gallops with a friend who holds a thyrsus (an ornamental staff), which - with the branch she holds - suggests that they are taking part in Dionysian revelry

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The thyrsus, a symbol of divine ecstasy and revelry, has long been associated with the worship of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility. This ancient artifact can be seen depicted in various forms throughout history. In a red figure squat lekythos made of terracotta, we catch a glimpse of the thyrsus held by Bacchus himself. The intricate detailing on this piece showcases the importance placed on this sacred object. An engraving from 1804 further emphasizes the significance of the thyrsus as it shows Bacchus proudly wielding it. The energy emanating from his figure is palpable, reflecting the power that this symbol holds. Not only does Bacchus possess this emblematic staff, but satyrs also embrace its presence. In an enchanting engraving, we witness a satyr holding his own thyrsus with mischievous delight. The allure of the thyrsus extends beyond male figures; even bacchantes are depicted clutching these magical rods in engravings from different eras. These women exude passion and liberation as they dance to honor Dionysian rituals. A captivating oil painting titled "Bacchanal" transports us into an immersive scene where individuals adorned with thyrsi partake in joyous festivities. The vibrant colors bring to life their ecstatic movements and highlight their connection to Dionysian worship. Greek vase paintings offer us glimpses into mythological tales involving centaurs and maenads intertwined with their beloved thyrsi. These illustrations depict scenes filled with wild abandon and unbridled passion for life's pleasures. From dances performed by maenads dedicated to Dionysos to centaurs charming them through music, every image captures moments steeped in mysticism and celebration. Through these artistic representations spanning centuries, we gain insight into how deeply ingrained the concept of the thyrsus was within ancient Greek culture.