Nereid and Triton, bronze and marble sculptures, 19th century. Height 26.5 cm. The pair of sculptures depicts river gods identifiable in Triton, recognisable by his sceptre, and one of the Nereids. Marine deities, the Tritons have the power to agitate or calm the sea at the sound of the whelp; the Nereids, known as Sea Nymphs, protect sailors. The Nereids were worshipped particularly at the coastal resorts of Greece. In the Theogony, Hesiod records Triton as the only son of Neptune and Amphitrite. Later writers, however, speak of this marine deity by naming it in the plural. The Tritons play a role in the marine world similar to that of the Satyrs or Centaurs in the terrestrial realm and are depicted as such in Hellenistic-Roman iconography. These deities live among the waves of the sea and, with the sound of the buccina, a twisted shell, have the power to calm or agitate the waves. The Tritons are also part of the procession of Neptune, the god of the sea, together with the Nereids. The latter are well-defined deities, daughters of Nereus, from whom they derive their name, and Doris, in turn daughter of Oceanus. They are sea nymphs and are distinguished from the Naiads, nymphs of the springs, and the Oceanines, nymphs of the Ocean. Generally considered benevolent deities, the Nereids live in the depths of the sea, in the palace of Nereus, seated on golden thrones. Poets portray them as beautiful deities, playing in the waves or accompanying Neptune's procession. Their number varies from fifty to a hundred. Most notable among them are Galatea, beloved of Polyphemus, Thetis, or Thetis, mother of Achilles, and Amphitrite, wife of Neptune.
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SILVER Seller in Milano, Italia
