Lot Essay
For several interpretations of the type see the Ludovisi Hermes and related examples, nos. 915-925 in Siebert, "Hermes" in LIMC and nos. 6a-20 in Simon, "Mercurius" in LIMC.
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CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
Details
A ROMAN MARBLE MERCURY
CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
Based on a 5th century B.C. Pheidian prototype, the youthful god standing with his weight on his right leg, the left slightly forward and joined to a tree-trunk support, depicted nude but for a mantle pinned with a circular brooch at his right shoulder, gathering behind his left shoulder and draped across his left forearm, his musculature well defined, originally holding his caduceus in his left hand, its finial resting against his upper arm, likely once holding his money bag in his now-missing lowered right hand, his head turned to his left, wearing his petasos over his short wavy locks, the unarticulated eyes with thick lids, the thin lips softly pressed together, the chin square
37 3/8 in. (94.9 cm.) high
CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
Based on a 5th century B.C. Pheidian prototype, the youthful god standing with his weight on his right leg, the left slightly forward and joined to a tree-trunk support, depicted nude but for a mantle pinned with a circular brooch at his right shoulder, gathering behind his left shoulder and draped across his left forearm, his musculature well defined, originally holding his caduceus in his left hand, its finial resting against his upper arm, likely once holding his money bag in his now-missing lowered right hand, his head turned to his left, wearing his petasos over his short wavy locks, the unarticulated eyes with thick lids, the thin lips softly pressed together, the chin square
37 3/8 in. (94.9 cm.) high
Provenance
German Private Collection; Sotheby's, London, 23 May 1991, lot 362 [the 18th century restorations now removed].