Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A fine pair of bronze appliques of the legendary hero Hercules (Greek Herakles), each depicting him from the chest up and likely intended for a wagon or carrying chair via the iron tang on the verso. Hercules is shown 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 (both about the same): 1.9" L x 3.5" W x 4.6" H (4.8 cm x 8.9 cm x 11.7 cm); 6" H (15.2 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-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-D. Genov collection, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; ex-B.H.S. collection, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA collection, formed in the 1950s - 1970s

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#184700

One applique has chip to periphery of verso, and both have expected nicks and surface wear as shown. Polished in modern times, but otherwise, both are intact and excellent with impressive remaining detail and rich, green patina. Each still have iron nail in verso for attachment.