ITEM: Applique with Apollo playing lyre
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 88 mm x 36 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, bought in English auction house. Ex English private collection, Middlesex, formed in the 1980s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

IMPORTANT: Stand not included

In Roman religion, Apollo was a significant deity who was adopted from the Greek pantheon and integrated into Roman worship with some modifications. Originally a Greek god of the sun, music, prophecy, and healing, Apollo retained these attributes in Roman tradition. He was often depicted as a youthful, beardless figure, symbolizing beauty, intellect, and artistic inspiration. His worship in Rome was multifaceted, reflecting his wide-ranging influence over various aspects of life and culture.

One of Apollo’s key roles in Roman religion was as a god of prophecy and healing. The Romans revered him as a source of divine insight and guidance, and his oracle at Delphi was highly respected even in Rome. Apollo was also associated with medicine and healing, particularly through his connection with his son Asclepius, who was worshipped as a god of healing. Temples dedicated to Apollo, such as the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine Hill and the Temple of Apollo Sosianus, served as important religious and cultural centers where Romans sought his favor and guidance.

Apollo’s influence extended into the arts and culture of Rome as well. He was considered the patron of music, poetry, and the arts, and his presence was a common motif in Roman art and literature. The Romans celebrated him with festivals and games, such as the Ludi Apollinares, which were held in his honor and included various public entertainments. Apollo’s role in Roman society reflected the broader adoption and adaptation of Greek deities into Roman religion, illustrating how the Romans synthesized elements of Greek culture with their own religious practices and values.