Statuette of Hermes
Summary
Statuette of Hermes standing against a pillar. He is rendered naked, except from a cloak worn over the shoulders and boots.
Description of object
The statuette is well-preserved, with only a few fingers on the right hand missing. The statuette is identified with Hermes due to the characteristic broad-rimmed hat, petatos, which he is wearing. Here, Hermes is portrayed naked, only wearing a cloak and boots. He is standing against a pillar with his right arm raised in a greeting gesture, while the left arm is extended and slightly reaching out with the palm pointing upwards.
Choice of methods
Visual examination
- Macroscopic
Technical imaging
- UV
- VIL
- Lead-isotope analysis
Sampling
- XRF
Visual examination
The skin of the Hermes statuette is painted in a red colour, while his boots show traces of a greyish paint.
Bibliography
J. Christiansen, M. Moltesen & J. S. Østergaard (1992), Campania, South Italy and Sicily. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, 106, cat. no. 82.
- HIN 423a
- Statuette
- 1st half of the 3rd century BC
- Hellenistic
- Painted terracotta
- Acquired in Rome in 1912 and belongs with a Canosan grave-vase (However, not HIN 423 as previously presumed as the figure is too large) and another similar statuette (HIN 423b).
- H. 22.5 cm
