Trapezophorus

Trapezophorus with triton’s bust in the shape of a strong ferine paw, in the upper part enveloped by a calyx of delicately carved leaves. Arises, as if it were from the sea, the naked body of a young triton, of whom is only visible the bust while the fish-like tail remains hidden, but is recalled in the relief of the pilaster’s sides. The arms are missing, but the junction to the shoulders seems to suggest their original position in the typical swimmer posture: probably the right arm was lifted and slightly bent forward, while the left, at which the glance of the young is cast, was lowered backwards. The face, much eroded, is looks up to the left and is encircled by thick locks of hair. The body of the young god rests on the front of a small supporting pilaster, whose sides are carved with the fish tails evoking the marine world. The whole work shows quite an inaccurate handling of the details and of the anatomy of the body.

Figured trapezophoroi with ferine and animal heads, initially cast in bronze and then carved also in coloured marbles, were largely diffuse at first in Hellenistic times and subsequently in the Roman world as supports for tables, mainly round in shape, that were placed at the side of the klinai during banquets. From the end of the I century AD they become precious pieces of furniture in the rich Roman houses, where their high artistic value, enhanced by the use of rare and prized coloured marbles, was displayed with the intent of rivalling the luxurious Hellenistic houses.