Swift footed, Mercury (known to Greeks as Hermes), the messenger of Jupiter and herald to the gods, was the patron deity of travelers, gamblers, tricksters, and businessmen.  More »

Swift footed, Mercury (known to Greeks as Hermes), the messenger of Jupiter and herald to the gods, was the patron deity of travelers, gamblers, tricksters, and businessmen. To him is ascribed the introduction of deploying embassies in the capitals of foreign empires in order to broker peace through diplomatic channels instead of war. Mercury, the robber and cattle driver, the prince of thieves at the gates, the bringer of dreams, the patron of travelers, is also credited with assisting the Fates during the creation of the alphabet, securing his role as the governor of the tongue and the guide of intelligent speech. He also invented the lyre from a tortoise shell and gave this musical instrument to Apollo who, in turn, gave Mercury a caduceus, the golden staff crowned by wings and intertwined with serpents--symbol of today's medical profession. Mercury is sometimes called Argiphontes, for having killed the all-seeing Argos I who guarded Io. He is also referred to as Psychopompus in the context of his role as the guide of the souls of the deceased to the Underworld.   « Less

This item is a magnificent and mysterious bronze votive sculpture of a human hand, attended by many cryptic symbols. The gesture formed by the hand is evocative of those  More »

This item is a magnificent and mysterious bronze votive sculpture of a human hand, attended by many cryptic symbols. The gesture formed by the hand is evocative of those associated with religious teachers in antiquity and a similar gesture is reused in early Byzantine Christian art, depicting Christ in an attitude of teaching or pontification. The first and second fingers are raised and slightly splayed, with the thumb nearby the forefinger, while the fourth and fifth fingers are folded into the palm. The hand is surrounded by magical creatures and symbols including a serpent, a turtle, a ram head, a lizard, an altar with an amphora, a frog or toad and an eagle which alights on a horizontal perch that rests across the middle and forefinger. This ‘perch’ may in fact represent a cluster of thunderbolts grasped in the eagle’s claws.Small votive hands, typically made of copper or bronze, are often associated with the cult of the god Sabazius. A Phrygian deity whose cult was influential in Thrace, he later became identified with Bacchus and Jupiter in the Roman Period. Many of these votive hands have a small perforation at the base which suggests that they may have been attached to wooden poles and carried in processions. The significance of the symbolism of these objects is not well known, but the presence of the eagle here, an animal sacred to Zeus (whom the Romans called Jupiter), seems to support the syncretistic connection of such a hand to the cult of Jupiter Sabazius. Many votive objects and cultic statues are connected with the various deities of the Greco-Roman world, and yet their symbolism is often fairly opaque to modern interpreters. The mystery cults associated with such deities as Demeter and Persephone, Dionysus, Mithras, Isis and Serapis, and many others, usually prized and fiercely guarded the cryptic and mystical nature of their symbolism, allowing only the initiated to glimpse the true meaning of these devices.   « Less

This arching handle terminates in a bearded head that may represent Silenus, a famed companion of Bacchus. This handle was likely once attached to a bronze vessel which has  More »

This arching handle terminates in a bearded head that may represent Silenus, a famed companion of Bacchus. This handle was likely once attached to a bronze vessel which has since been lost to us. - (X.0141c)   « Less

Rendered with vivid naturalism in a medium that befits the animal portrayed, this lion roundel is an exquisite example of ancient roman metalwork. With a wide-open mouth, the  More »

Rendered with vivid naturalism in a medium that befits the animal portrayed, this lion roundel is an exquisite example of ancient roman metalwork. With a wide-open mouth, the lion holds between large fangs a bronze ring, elegantly ornamented with incised lines. This linear pattern echoes the decorative striations that form the dramatic mane and whiskers of the lion. As we gaze at the feline eyes, we can almost imagine this powerful beast bursting forth from the roundel with astonishing strength and graceful beauty. How captivating is the image and how timeless in its ability to arouse our senses. As we enjoy this beautiful work of art we can see and appreciate the ancient Roman metalworkers accomplished talents in manipulating the highly responsive medium of bronze. - (FZ.300)   « Less

The name "Minerva" is likely imported from the Etruscans who called her Menrva. The Romans would have easily confused her foreign name with their word means meaning "mind"  More »

The name "Minerva" is likely imported from the Etruscans who called her Menrva. The Romans would have easily confused her foreign name with their word means meaning "mind" since one of her aspects as goddess pertained not only to war but also to the intellectual. Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter and Metis. She was considered to be the virgin goddess of warriors, poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, crafts, and the inventor of music. As Minerva Medica, she was the goddess of medicine and doctors. Adapting Greek myths about Athena, Romans said that Minerva was not born in the usual way, but rather Jupiter had a horrible headache and Vulcan opened up his head and out came Minerva dressed in armor and holding a shield; this image has captivated Western writers and artists through the ages. Ovid called her the "goddess of a thousand works." Minerva was worshipped throughout Italy, though only in Rome did she take on a warlike character. Minerva is usually depicted wearing a coat of mail and a helmet, and carrying a spear. The Romans celebrated her festival from March 19 to 23 during the day which is called, in the feminine plural, Quinquatria, the fifth after the Ides of March, the nineteenth, the artisans' holiday. A lesser version, the Minusculae Quinquatria, was held on the Ides of June, June 13, by the flute-players, who were particularly useful to religion. Minerva was worshipped on the Capitoline Hill as one of the Capitoline Triad along with Jupiter and Juno. In present-day Rome, you can visit Piazza della Minerva near the Pantheon. In 207 BC, a guild of poets and actors was formed to meet and make votive offerings at the temple of Minerva on the Aventine hill. Among others, its members included Livius Andronicus. The Aventine sanctuary of Minerva continued to be an important center of the arts for much of the middle Roman Republic. In Plutarch's Lives: Pericles; Minerva appears to Pericles in a dream and orders a course of treatment for an injured citizen of Athens. The treatment cured the man and a brass statue was erected in honor of Minerva. Minerva was born from the head of Jupiter. - (X.0642)   « Less

The bull has been a symbol of virility and male energy since the dawn of civilized and artistic man. The Minoans, the cultural forefathers of the Mycenaean Greeks, adorned  More »

The bull has been a symbol of virility and male energy since the dawn of civilized and artistic man. The Minoans, the cultural forefathers of the Mycenaean Greeks, adorned their magnificent city of Knossos with more depictions of bulls than any other deity or sacred creature. The bull passed into the hands of Athens, who made it such an overpowering symbol of sexual appeal that Europa was driven into mad lust upon seeing Zeus in its form. As did all art and worship of Greece, the bull was taken into the Roman civilization where the sacrifice of a pure white beast was considered the highest honor one could give to Venus, god of love and lust. It is easy to see why the bull was such an important symbol of power in this vivid and fantastically executed bronze. The shapely muscles of the bull ripple across its powerful back into its stout neck. The frank appearance of his phallus remind us of his masculine vitality and feral purpose. This bull was perhaps a dedication to Venus as thanks for allowing a couple to get pregnant. Or maybe it was a quiet way of commemorating a particularly bullish ability that was seen as a gift from the goddess. Its purpose aside, the artistry and craftsmanship make this bull a joy to behold. In its presence we find ourselves face to face with one of the oldest and most treasured symbols of man at his most basic - (X.0660)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide x 1.5" (3.8cm) depth Collection: Classical Style: Roman  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide x 1.5" (3.8cm) depth Collection: Classical Style: Roman Medium: Bronze   « Less

A reliquary is a receptacle for keeping or displaying sacred relics. For Christians, relics were objects connected with saints or the actual physical remains of saints. The  More »

A reliquary is a receptacle for keeping or displaying sacred relics. For Christians, relics were objects connected with saints or the actual physical remains of saints. The veneration of the sacred relics of martyrs is a practice known to date from at least as early as the 2nd century. The Crusades led to an influx of relics from the Middle East and reliquaries became popular items of adornment used for protection by crusaders and the wealthy elite who could afford such luxuries. Although the practice of veneration was defended both by the 13th century theologian St. Thomas Aquinas and by the Council of Trent in the 16th century, the veneration of icons has always had a greater importance in the Eastern Orthodoxy. This beautiful Byzantine reliquary cross once housed the relics of a Christian martyr, perhaps even St. John himself whose image has been incised onto the front of the cross. The saint stands with his arms outstretched and are identified by the Greek inscription HOANIC above his head; branches with berries are incised below his hands adding a nice decorative element. On the reverse side, incised pyramidal shapes topped by flowers decorate each arm, and in the center is an unidentified bust. This suggestive style heightens the spirituality of the work, for it is the idea of the holiness of the Saint that is the focus, not his physicality. The incised decorations are remarkably vivid and the overall condition of this Latin-shaped reliquary cross is outstanding; notice that the original suspension loop is still intact. The sacred, protective energies of this spectacular reliquary cross continue to radiate outwards, still as potent and powerful as the day it was first worn. - (X.0056)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high Collection: Classical Style: Roman Medium: Bronze

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high Collection: Classical Style: Roman Medium: Bronze   « Less

While Christianity replaced the gods of antiquity, traditional Classical culture continued to flourish. Greek and Latin were the languages of the learned classes. Before  More »

While Christianity replaced the gods of antiquity, traditional Classical culture continued to flourish. Greek and Latin were the languages of the learned classes. Before Persian and Arab invasions devastated much of their eastern holdings, Byzantine territory extended as far as south as Egypt. After a period of iconoclastic uprising came to resolution in the 9th Century, a second flowering of Byzantine culture arose and lasted until Constantinople was temporarily seized by Crusaders from the west in the 13th Century. Christianity spread throughout the Slavic lands to the north. In 1453, Constantinople finally fell to the Ottoman Turks effectively ending the Byzantine Empire after more than 1,100 years. Byzantine art and culture was the epitome of luxury, encorporating the finest elements from the artistic traditions of both the East and the West. The Byzantine Divine Liturgy was a symbolic re- enactment of Christ's incarnation, teachings, and sacrifice. This Great Mysterium - the redemption of humanity - unfolded in an elaborate church ceremony that included prayer readings, the singing of hymns, and procession of clergy decorated in lavish vestments, some of whom carried processional crosses. Others swung censers gently back and forth, filling the air with sweet smelling smoke. The eucharistic bread was stamped with various patterns. The ceremony stimulated all the senses and engaged the mind, allowing the worshipper to experience the divine. - (SP.206)   « Less