Roman Bronze Applique - Young Hercules
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A remarkable cast bronze applique of the legendary hero Hercules (Heracles), here shown from the chest up, made to serve as an applique, probably on a piece of furniture belonging to a member of Rome's elite. The iron patina on its undecorated reverse gives an idea of how it would have been attached to an iron tang. Hercules is depicted here at his most adventurous, recalling Hellenistic portrayals of Alexander as Hercules. He has a smooth, youthful face with a head of curly hair; this is mostly obscured by the enormous head of the Nemean lion that he wears as a helmet. The animal's paws are tightly tied around his neck, complete with fierce claws, forming the rest of his cloak. Size: 4.2" W x 5.45" H (10.7 cm x 13.8 cm); 11" H (27.9 cm) on included custom stand.
The story of Hercules was a popular one in ancient Rome (with much of it derived, as so many elements of Roman culture were, from Greece - entering Roman culture by way of Etruria). Both Mark Antony and the Emperor Commodus considered him to be a personal patron god. The story of Hercules and the Nemean Lion was retold over and over again, in plays and artistic depictions like painting on vases. As part of his labors, Hercules was sent by King Eurystheus to bring him the skin of a lion that was terrorizing the town of Nemea. Upon discovering that weapons would not work on the beast, he tracked it to its lair and strangled it.
Provenance: ex-private German collection, acquired prior to 2008
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#152681 Dimensions: Condition Report: Intact with a single tiny tear on one side. Iron and encrusted patina on the undecorated back side of the applique. Front side has a smooth, dark turquoise patina that does not obscure the well preserved details.
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Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A remarkable cast bronze applique of the legendary hero Hercules (Heracles), here shown from the chest up, made to serve as an applique, probably on a piece of furniture belonging to a member of Rome's elite. The iron patina on its undecorated reverse gives an idea of how it would have been attached to an iron tang. Hercules is depicted here at his most adventurous, recalling Hellenistic portrayals of Alexander as Hercules. He has a smooth, youthful face with a head of curly hair; this is mostly obscured by the enormous head of the Nemean lion that he wears as a helmet. The animal's paws are tightly tied around his neck, complete with fierce claws, forming the rest of his cloak. Size: 4.2" W x 5.45" H (10.7 cm x 13.8 cm); 11" H (27.9 cm) on included custom stand.
The story of Hercules was a popular one in ancient Rome (with much of it derived, as so many elements of Roman culture were, from Greece - entering Roman culture by way of Etruria). Both Mark Antony and the Emperor Commodus considered him to be a personal patron god. The story of Hercules and the Nemean Lion was retold over and over again, in plays and artistic depictions like painting on vases. As part of his labors, Hercules was sent by King Eurystheus to bring him the skin of a lion that was terrorizing the town of Nemea. Upon discovering that weapons would not work on the beast, he tracked it to its lair and strangled it.
Provenance: ex-private German collection, acquired prior to 2008
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#152681 Dimensions: Condition Report: Intact with a single tiny tear on one side. Iron and encrusted patina on the undecorated back side of the applique. Front side has a smooth, dark turquoise patina that does not obscure the well preserved details.
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