★ Fine Statuette ★

A Fine Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury
Circa 1st-2nd century AD.
The messenger god is standing in contrapposto, with the weight on his right foot. He is shown nude but for his winged cap (petasos) and a cloak over his left shoulder and arm. In his right hand he holds a money bag (marsupium), the left hand once held a separately attached herald's staff (caduceus). Reattached to its profiled round base. An excellent representation of this popular god of shopkeepers and merchants, travellers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters.
H 13.3 cm (total), 10.4 cm (statuette) Ex private European collection; acquired in Germany before 2000.