Hermes
Summary
The herm is made of Pentelic marble. It is intact except for the nose, the tip of the beard and the top of the cap. Traces of red paint can be observed with the naked eye under the lower lip.
The herm was cleaned and washed in 1955.
Description of object
The shape of the bust indicates that this is a herm, and the pointed hat with the brim turned up at the back characterises the figure as Hermes. The nose, the tip of the beard and the top of the cap have been broken off. The front edge of the cap and the fringe were made separately and attached with four bronze dowels, two of which are still in place. The carving on the back is devoid of detail.
Choice of methods
Visual examination
- Macroscopic
Marble identification method
- Naked eye
Bibliography
F. Poulsen (1951), Catalogue of Ancient Sculpture in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, cat. no. 25.
M. Moltesen (2005), Catalogue. Imperial Rome III. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Copenhagen, cat. no. 196.
- IN 429
- Herm
- 100-90 B.C.E.
- Roman Republican
- Pentelic marble
- Bought in 1888 through Wolfgang Helbig from Count Tyszkiewicz’s collection.
- H. 29 cm
