19th Century French Carved Walnut Figure of Pan on Gnarled Burr Wood Base Titled 'PAN'

£795.00

Unusual and characterful late 19th Century carved Walnut figure of Pan on gnarled Burr wood base titled “PAN’.

High quality carving with nicely detailed sculpted figure of an impish youthful Pan playing pipes, depicted with Goat legs and horns, sitting on a tree trunk.

The base features the word PAN carved in an Art Nouveau style.

Impressive and decorative piece.

In ancient Greek religion and mythology Pan is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, rustic music and revelry, and the companion of the nymphs. He has the hindquarters and horns of a goat and is similar to a Satyr or Faun. He is also known as the god of the fields and wooded glens, and associated with sex and therefor fertility and the season of spring.

Being a rustic god, Pan was not worshipped in temples or other built edifices, but in natural settings, usually caves or grottoes such as the one on the north slope of the Acropolis of Athens. These are often referred to as the Cave of Pan.

One of the famous myths of Pan involves the origin of his pan flute, fashioned from lengths of hollow reed. Syrinx was a lovely wood-nymph of Arcadia, daughter of Ladon, the river-god. As she was returning from the hunt one day, Pan met her. To escape from his importunities, the fair nymph ran away and didn't stop to hear his compliments. He pursued from Mount Lycaeum until she came to her sisters who immediately changed her into a reed. When the air blew through the reeds, it produced a plaintive melody. The god, still infatuated, took some of the reeds, because he could not identify which reed she became, and cut seven pieces (or according to some versions, nine), joined them side by side in gradually decreasing lengths, and formed the musical instrument bearing the name of his beloved Syrinx.

Pan also loved a nymph named Pitys, who was turned into a pine tree to escape him. In another version, Pan and the north wind god Boreas clashed over the lovely Pitys. Boreas uprooted all the trees to impress her, but Pan laughed and Pitys chose him. Boreas then chased her and threw her off a cliff resulting in her death. Gaia pitied Pitys and turned her into a pine tree.

H: 55 cm / Base: W: 23 × D: 16.5 cm.

Unusual and characterful late 19th Century carved Walnut figure of Pan on gnarled Burr wood base titled “PAN’.

High quality carving with nicely detailed sculpted figure of an impish youthful Pan playing pipes, depicted with Goat legs and horns, sitting on a tree trunk.

The base features the word PAN carved in an Art Nouveau style.

Impressive and decorative piece.

In ancient Greek religion and mythology Pan is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, rustic music and revelry, and the companion of the nymphs. He has the hindquarters and horns of a goat and is similar to a Satyr or Faun. He is also known as the god of the fields and wooded glens, and associated with sex and therefor fertility and the season of spring.

Being a rustic god, Pan was not worshipped in temples or other built edifices, but in natural settings, usually caves or grottoes such as the one on the north slope of the Acropolis of Athens. These are often referred to as the Cave of Pan.

One of the famous myths of Pan involves the origin of his pan flute, fashioned from lengths of hollow reed. Syrinx was a lovely wood-nymph of Arcadia, daughter of Ladon, the river-god. As she was returning from the hunt one day, Pan met her. To escape from his importunities, the fair nymph ran away and didn't stop to hear his compliments. He pursued from Mount Lycaeum until she came to her sisters who immediately changed her into a reed. When the air blew through the reeds, it produced a plaintive melody. The god, still infatuated, took some of the reeds, because he could not identify which reed she became, and cut seven pieces (or according to some versions, nine), joined them side by side in gradually decreasing lengths, and formed the musical instrument bearing the name of his beloved Syrinx.

Pan also loved a nymph named Pitys, who was turned into a pine tree to escape him. In another version, Pan and the north wind god Boreas clashed over the lovely Pitys. Boreas uprooted all the trees to impress her, but Pan laughed and Pitys chose him. Boreas then chased her and threw her off a cliff resulting in her death. Gaia pitied Pitys and turned her into a pine tree.

H: 55 cm / Base: W: 23 × D: 16.5 cm.

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Purchase price does not include shipping.

All items are shipped from our London SE18 address. Or collection is possible most days by appointment.

Small to medium items that aren't fragile will be sent fully insured with Fedex to UK, EU and Rest of World.

We would recommend sending any extra fragile or very large items by van courier to UK addresses. We have also used reliable and affordable couriers for such items to most of the EU.

Large and fragile items can also be sent crated via shipping companies.

We can advise on the most cost effective, but also safe and reliable options, and also advise on import VAT charges to the EU (antiques and works of art over 100 years old are charged at a lower % tax to EU countries). 

Most items are antique and fragile and some wear should be expected. Condition will be accurately reported in item descriptions. 

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