Herakles, the most popular Greek hero, was object of an intense cult in Etruscan and Italic cities of Central Italy.
   From the V c. B.C. to the II c.B.C., small Herakles bronze figures were created in this area.

   The leonte or lion skin on the shoudlers, the head and the arm derives from an Archaïc Greece convention.
   The face of Herakles is in the style of the "severe" period Kouroi from the early V c.B.C. The position, with a rigid and a relaxed leg, is V c. in style.

   The extended right arm was probably holding Herakles' standard club.

   Complete except for the weapon. Nice conservation and details, nice patina.

   For a very near published museum equivalent, see Musée Municipal de Vienne inventory by S.Boucher, #24.

 
   Material : Bronze, fine dark-green patina
   Provenance : ex. French auction sale
   Dimensions : Height : 12,5 cm
   Period : IV-III c.B.C.

        Ref. : r-106

 
   Price & Condition : Euro 4000 -

   Museum Equivalent : Musée municipal de Vienne (France)

   Bibliography : Bronzes antiques, Vienne (Inv. des coll.publiques françaises), S.Boucher - Paris 1971, Ed. des musées nationaux
                           Bronzes grecs, hellénistiques et étrusques des musées de Lyon, S.Boucher - Lyon 1970, Boccard éd.