Loading, please wait...
LOT 0788
Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
3 3/8 in. (66 grams total, 85 mm including stand).
Standing nude with winged petasos to the head, in contrapposto pose; mounted on a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Cf. Boucher, S. & Tassinari, S., Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine a Lyon: Bronzes Antiques I. Inscriptions, Statuaire, Vaisselle, Lyon, 1976, item 49, for type.
FootnotesMercury was the god of trade and industry, whose principle shrine in the city of Rome was at the Circus Maximus. Equated with the Greek Hermes he became the god of tradesmen and merchants. He was also the god of thieves and was associated with healing, mainly in Gaul, where he had a number of important temples connected to sacred springs, This statuette was probably a votive offering to one of this temples.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Roman Bronze Miniature Flagon
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With piriform body, short neck, everted rim and strap handle, circumferential bands to the body. 10.9 grams, 42 mm
Acquired from Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK, 2010. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
The small size of this bronze container suggests that it was intended as a toilette object, or as an oil vessel for athletes, generally associated with a strigil. Its could also have been used as a balsamarium. -
Roman Gold Barred Ring
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Penannular hoop with segmented design, butted ends. 2.12 grams, 17.45 mm overall, 14.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. -
Late Roman Gnostic Carnelian Gemstone
4th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
Bifacial ellipsoid insert with lip to one face; obverse depicting a kilted figure with avian head and with wings on his head, shoulders and hips holding symbols and flanked by a scorpion, scarab, serpent and other items; reverse with lion-headed serpent, surrounding enigmatic legend 'XAYMNOMNABMXMXIM'; supplied with a museum-quality impression of each face. 1.92 grams, 22 mm
From the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.
