Mercury was the messenger of the gods and Roman god
of eloquence, skill, trading and thieving. This beautiful
rendition of the god shows him with his winged cap (or
petasos) and staff (or caduceus), an ancient symbol of
commerce. This particular statuette was probably used in
a small shrine to the god but is very unusual in having
a flat back, and no obvious signs for fixing it to anything.
Study of the metal by English Heritage has shown it to
be a typical Roman mix of bronze. |
