The reconstruction of the torso becomes possible if we carefully observe the small differences between its two halves: we can then see how the body moved and to what extent the muscles were strained.
The statue represented a satyr, who held a heavy object, perhaps a full wineskin, on his right thigh. The piece was found in ancient Vienna (Gallia Narbonensis), one of the wealthiest cities of the province, where it adorned a pool in a large public bath. It thus functioned as a fountain statue, with water pouring out of the wineskin.
Marble analyses conducted by Danielle Decrouez (Geneva, Museum of Natural History) and Karl Ramseyer (University of Bern, Institute of Geological Sciences) have shown that the torso was made of Usak marble. Click here for the detailed results.
