Gilded bronze Hermes or Mercury statuette, 17th century
Set on a square base connected to the bronze, this statuette depicts roman god Mercury, the equivalent of Hermes in Greek mythology. The left leg leaning on a tree stump, he keeps his right leg bent before with foot resting on a branch. Wearing petasus on a long-haired head, he wears on his back a chlamys held by a strap over the torso and whose ends are brought back on the right thigh and in the left hand. Right hand held originaly a caduceus, one of the attributes of the god.
Very good condition, rather well preserved gilding. Under the base, a threaded rod is kept by a sort of plaster, later consolidation or addition. Statuette is placed down a little stone pedestal (supplied).
Bronze height: 11.2 cm