Roman Empire, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd centuries CE. Attractive marble sculpture depicting the quintessential hero of ancient times - Heracles (Hercules) - in the round. He stands nude save a lion skin draped over his chest, his long, wavy locks of hair flowing down the sides of his neck to his broad shoulders. Note how the sculptor carefully delineated his facial features and muscular anatomy. In addition, one can appreciate the suggested motion of the figure - although his legs show losses and we can only see his thighs, it is clear that the right leg is advancing, suggesting a proud stride. Size: 6.75" H (17.1 cm); 8.375" H (21.3 cm) on included custom stand.

The iconography of this sculpture references the legendary hero's first labor when King Eurystheus asked Hercules to bring him the skin of a fierce lion that terrorized the hillside around Nemea - a seemingly impossible task. Despite the fact that initially Hercules' arrows were utterly useless against this threatening beast, our hero ultimately succeeded, clutching the lion in his muscular arms all the while strategically avoiding its claws, and finally choking his wild feline opponent to death.

Provenance: private Davis Collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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#132996

A section from a larger sculpture with losses to limbs and top of head as shown. Surface wear commensurate with age. Earthen and mineral deposits/encrustation as shown.