Associated with Bacchus, Roman deity of wine and fertility, among whose attributes are asses, grapevines, laurels, panthers, rams, serpents, and tigers, it was found in Antiquity, and from Renaissance times was used when associations with sensual pleasure were desired. Regarded as the opposite of Appoline decoration, it appeared in Neo-Classical designs. (Curl & Wilson, 2016)
« Back to Glossary IndexBacchic ornament
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