Ancient region of Bactria, 1st century. Well modeled standing in contrapposto, the right hand clutching a mace while the left swings the tail of a lion pelt over his back, the nude youthful hero with a muscular body, his thick curly hair and beard adding to his rugged demeanor.

Provenance: A private collection in the USA. Collection of Leonardo Vigorelli, Bergamo, acquired from above. Leonardo Vigorelli is a retired Italian art dealer and noted collector, specializing in African and ancient Hindu-Buddhist art. After studying anthropology and decades of travel as well as extensive field research in India, the Himalayan region, Southeast Asia, and Africa, he founded the Dalton Somare art gallery in Milan, Italy, which today is being run by his two sons.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. Minor losses, small pits, signs of weathering and erosion, commensurate with age. The bronze with a fine, naturally grown, dark patina with areas of malachite encrustation.

Weight: 930.3 g (excl. stand), 1261.6 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: 20 cm (excl. stand), 21.3 cm (incl. stand)

Herakles (Roman: Hercules) is the hero of Greek epic literature celebrated for his strength and many feats of bravery and heroism. The subject can be identified by the club and the tiger pelt in his hands. Herakles was a popular figure throughout the Hellenistic world and was venerated throughout Greek-influenced Central Asia.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related bronze figure of Heracles, dated to the 1st century, 7.3 cm tall, in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, accession number EA1994.57.