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Description

Roman Bronze Statuette of Young Mercury on the Eagle of Jupiter. 2nd century A.D. Modelled in the round as a figure of an eagle perching with its head turned to the right; on its back, the god Mercury with caduceus on his left arm and petasos on his head; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 51 (Mercury with caduceus). 63.3 grams total, 68 mm including stand (2 5/8 in.). The figure of the messenger-god Mercury seated on the pinion of the eagle possibly relates to a mythic incident. Similar imagery was used in respect of Jupiter in scenes where the god was supposed to welcome a newly-deified emperor into the pantheon: see Metropolitan Museum of Art accession no. 32.142.2, for a sardonyx instance of this motif. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. [No Reserve]

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Roman Bronze Statuette of Young Mercury on the Eagle of Jupiter. 2nd century A.D. Modelled in the round as a figure of an eagle perching with its head turned to the right; on its back, the god Mercury with caduceus on his left arm and petasos on his head; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 51 (Mercury with caduceus). 63.3 grams total, 68 mm including stand (2 5/8 in.). The figure of the messenger-god Mercury seated on the pinion of the eagle possibly relates to a mythic incident. Similar imagery was used in respect of Jupiter in scenes where the god was supposed to welcome a newly-deified emperor into the pantheon: see Metropolitan Museum of Art accession no. 32.142.2, for a sardonyx instance of this motif. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. [No Reserve]

Estimate 400 - 600 GBP
Starting price 5 GBP

* Not including buyer’s premium.
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Sale fees: 35 %
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For sale on Tuesday 03 Sep - 12:00 (BST)
londres, United Kingdom
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+441277814121
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