★ Very Fine Statuette ★

A WELL MODELLED ROMAN BRONZE STATUETTE OF MERCURY
Circa 2nd-3rd 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 pinned at his right shoulder and wrapped around his left arm. In his right hand he holds a money bag (marsupium), the now missing left hand probably held the herald's staff (caduceus). Mounted on an ancient but not belonging base. An excellent representation of this popular god of shopkeepers and merchants, travellers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters.
H 13 cm Ex European private collection, acquired on the German art market before 2000.