LOT 0108

Roman Bronze Statuette of Resting Hercules

3RD CENTURY A.D.

6 1/8 in. (715 grams, 15.5 cm).

Depicted as lar and modelled nude in a standing pose with the right hand resting on the handle of his club, left arms supporting the lionskin mantle; hair cut short and beard textured.

Acquired on the UK art market, 1990s.
Private collection, New York, USA.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13295-255447.

Cf. for similar typologies Reinach, S., Répertoire de la statuaire grecque et romaine, Paris, 1897, p.211, 7 and 9; 212 nos.1,2,7; 214,2 and 5; Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 98,101; Salskov Roberts, H., ‘types of Herakles statuettes in Copenhagen that reflects large classical sculptures’ in Mattusch, C.C., Brauer, A., Knudsen, S.E., From the parts to the whole, volume 2, Acts of the 13th International Bronze Congress, held at Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 28-June 1, 1996, Cambridge, 1996, pp.83-88, figs.6,8.

The position of the statuette, belonging to the typology of ‘resting’ Hercules, is unconventional, probably belonging to a more archaic period prototype (Reinach, 1897, p.211,7). By the late 300s or early 200s B.C., the depiction of Hercules wearing the lion's skin over his head had fallen out of favour in Greek art. A worshipper probably placed this statuette in a sanctuary as an offering to the deity, or in his house as a symbol of protection. The majority of small Hercules statuettes are ex-votos, and the donors were possibly herdsmen, considering his function as protector of the flocks. Statuettes of the god found in provinces like Gallia, Britannia, or Pannonia might have appealed to Italic soldiers serving further north and could easily have been carried with them on campaign.