A rare Roman Silver figurine of Zeus, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE
This object qualifies for free USA shipping and a flat rate fee of $60 if shipping internationally.
Inspired by a Greek original of the 5th Century BCE, the god standing on a profiled base with the weight on his left leg and holding a patera out in his right hand, and a staff in his raised left hand, the head with a full beard and long hair bound in a diadem, wearing sandals and himation falling from the left shoulder. An eagle, one of Zeus's principal attributes, standing on a thunderbolt at his feet.
Statues of Olympian deities fashioned in precious meted and intended for display in the household shrine or in temple treasuries are often found in Roman imperial hoards of the second and third centuries CE, particularly in Roman Gaul (see C. Vermeule, Greek and Roman Sculpture in Gold and Silver (Boston, 1974) introduction). Among these, Zeus, either seated or standing to hurl his thunderbolt, is a popular type (compare Vermeule, ibid, nos 32 and 33).
For related examples in marble cf. W. Amelung, Die Sculpturen des Vaticanischen Museums, vol. II, Berlin, 1908, p. 226, no. 84 A, pl. 8 (http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/19446), and D. Mustilli, Il Museo Mussolini, Rome, 1939, p. 82, no. 3, pl. L, 202 (http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/16151).
Medium: Silver
Dimensions: Height: 1 1/2 inches (3.5 cm)
Condition: Intact and in excellent condition overall.
Provenance: Private North Carolina collection, acquired from Robert Haber Ancient Art, NY, on October 28, 1987. Accompanied by a copy of the original invoice and Certificate of Authenticity from the dealer.
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Furthermore, we conduct due diligence to ensure the item, to the best of our knowledge, has not been illegally obtained from an excavation, architectural monument, public institution, or private property. Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.Wherever possible, reference is made to existing collections or publications.
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