A BRONZE STATUE OF HERCULES

LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY ROME

Details

A BRONZE STATUE OF HERCULES
Late 18th/Early 19th Century, probably Rome
On a later ormolu-mounted ebonized square base
The statue; 20in. (52.5cm.) high
The base; 3in. (9cm.) high, 7in. (20cm.) wide

Provenance

The Jacques Garcia Collection, sold Sotheby's New York, 27 October 1990, lot 45

Sale room notice

Please note the correct date for this lot should be Late 18th/Early 19th century.

Lot Essay

The antique marble figure of the Farnese Hercules, now at the Museo Nazionale in Naples, was first recorded in 1156 when it was in the Palazzo Farnese. It was said to have been founds in the Baths of Caracalla. The enormous figure (measuring over three meters) has been greatly admired since the time of its discovery and has been considered 'one of the three finest statues in the world'. Numerous versions of all sizes and materials are known (see F. Haskell and N. Penny, Taste and the Antique, 1981, pp. 229-32).