Flying Mercury After Giambologna

Bronze with black patina on a cylindrical base decorated with a bas-relief after Clodion.
19th century.
Height: 33,5 in with the base.

Mercury is the god of commerce in the Roman mythology. In his right hand he holds a well-stocked purse and a caduceus in his left hand, a sign of his eminent function.
He is also the messenger of the gods. He wears a helmet and winged sandals for this purpose.

Giambologna is a Mannerist sculptor of Flemish origin in 1529 and died in Florence in 1608. Born Jeahn Boulongne, his name is Italianized in Giovanni Bologna which will later be contracted in Giambologna.