VESSEL IN THE FORM OF A BUST OF MERCURY

Bronze

Dianium. Pont Street

Bust of a young, beardless male figure. The pedestal on which he rested and the lid of the opening in his head are missing. His hairstyle is in the form of a cap full of rounded curls. Over the left shoulder he wears the clamid. From the top of his head are two wings with rings to which the movable handle is attached, the ends of which represent swan protomes. It can be identified with Mercury by the presence of the wings. It was used as a container for granular or powdered products such as incense or spices. Its use is documented in funerary, domestic and thermal environments.

Chronology. 2nd-3rd centuries.

Dimensions. Height: 20.50 cm. Width: 11.50 cm; Thickness: 6.60 cm.

Gisbert 1993.

FAG