Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury

CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.

4 in. (85 grams total, 10.2 cm including stand).

Modelled standing nude, wearing the winged petasos and with a bag of coins in his extended right hand; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From 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.

Literature

Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 27, 30 for type.

Footnotes

This statuette of possible Gallo-Roman origin is part of a production of quickly cast votive bronzes, where the features of the body and face were barely highlighted. However, it presents very clearly the characteristic petasos with wings and the small bag, symbol of his protectorate over travellers, traders and thieves.

CONDITION

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LOT 0193