FIGURINE

An incomplete cast copper alloy Roman figurine of Mercury wearing a silver torc. The figurine is very good condition with many of the facial and body features clear; however the left arm is missing above the elbow. The figurine depicts Mercury, holding a purse in the palm of his right hand. He is naked apart from a chlamys draped over his left shoulder. In his left hand he probably held a caduceus, a winged staff held by messengers and heralds. The body of the figurine is well detailed with muscles, genitalia, hair and facial features all being clear and well defined. There is some wear to the face and two breaks on the top of the head indicate where Mercury's wings would have been located, however these are now missing. Interestingly and unusually, this figurine of mercury has a silver torc around his neck. It is a simple piece of round-sectioned silver wire, with flattened and pointed terminal ends. These terminals are decorated with incised lines arranged diagonally, possibly hatched however this is hard to discern. At the junction of the round sectioned wire and flattened terminal there are two or three incised vertical lines, effectively forming a border between the two parts. The torc may represent a serpent, which was one of Mercury's symbols and it may have been based on serpent jewellery or bracelets (Prof. Martin Henig, pers. Comm.). Another representation of Mercury wearing a Snettisham style serpent ring , this time on a patera handle. Representations of Mercury are known throughout the Empire; he was the messenger of Jupiter, and was also the patron of travellers and merchants.

This example dates from the first to second century AD. Further research is ongoing.