Lot 18
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 2nd century CE. A spirited relic of Roman religion and roadside reverence, this petite bronze figure depicts Mercury - messenger of the gods and patron of travelers, commerce, and eloquence. Cast in leaded bronze and worked in the round, the god stands nude save for a chlamys draped rakishly over his shoulder and a broad-brimmed petasos crowning his head, from which rises the telltale wing - a sure symbol of speed and divine mobility. Though his arms are partially lost to time, his forward gaze, delicately modeled curls, and confident stance retain the vitality of Roman craftsmanship at its most expressive. Mercury's youthful features are crisply detailed, with softly parted lips and incised brows lending him a knowing charm. The stance, subtly contrapposto, imbues the small-scale figure with poised animation, once perhaps set in motion by its placement atop a household altar, a traveler's shrine, or a portable votive assemblage. Size: 1.3" L x 1.8" W x 3.5" H (3.3 cm x 4.6 cm x 8.9 cm); 4.8" H (12.2 cm) on included custom stand.
Mercury, known as Hermes to the Greeks, was a liminal god - a guide between realms, bringer of luck, guardian of thresholds and trade. Figures like this were cast across the empire in both official and private contexts, sometimes placed in domestic lararia or carried by merchants as talismans. The winged petasos he wears marks him as a traveler between worlds, while the cloak, clasped with naturalistic folds at the shoulder, evokes the iconography of the orator.
Traces of green and reddish patination dance across the metal, a chromatic signature of age and buried years. Despite corrosion to the lower limbs and extremities, the integrity of form and facial detail remains compelling. Parallels can be drawn with similar votive bronzes in the collections of the British Museum and the Getty Villa, each capturing the Roman affinity for personal piety in miniature form.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired from Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-Bob Guynn collection, acquired from Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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#195226
- Condition: Missing lower legs, proper right forearm, and one wing. Weathering to surface commensurate with age, but, otherwise, liberal remaining detail and rich patina.
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