This Bust of Hermes is a reproduction in marble of Carrara of the original Greek Hermes and Dionysius statue, dating back to 330 BC. and kept at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.

Pausanias, the writer and geographer of the 2nd century. AD, accurately described this statue. Thanks to his description it was possible to attribute it to Praxiteles, the great Greek sculptor of the 4th century BC.

The god Hermes holds in his left arm the little Dionysus who seems to be leaning towards a bunch of grapes that the god probably held with his right hand.

"The myth tells that the young god was ordered by Zeus to bring the newborn Dionysus, immediately after the miraculous birth from the thigh of the father of the Gods, to the mythical land of Nisa, to entrust him to the Nymphs who would raised away from Hera's jealousy.

"It is the only original sculpture that has come down to us from antiquity that can be attributed with certainty to Praxiteles, an artist who expressed his particular talent in a way that found no equal In this work the realistic tendencies of the time, such as the texture of the hanging fabric that makes it seem real, blend with the introspective idealism that pervades the figure of the . god, giving it an unsurpassed charm."

Photin N. Zaphiropolous

Characteristics

• Material: Recomposed Carrara marble
• Hand patinated
• Base: marble
• Dimensioni: 46,5 x 35,5 x 16,5 cm (18.31 x 13.98 x 6.5)
• Weight: 14 Kg
• Produced in Italy

                 

Historical Curiosities

Hermes, in Rome he is known as Mercury, is the messenger of the gods, the god of eloquence, trade and communications.

For the ancient Greeks, Hermes embodied the spirit of passage and crossing: they believed that the god manifested himself in any type of exchange, transfer, overcoming, change, transit, all concepts that refer back to in some way to a passage from one place, or from one state, to another.

This explains his being linked to changes in man's fate and why he was one of the few who were allowed to frequent the Realm of the Underworld. Hermes held the role of psychopomp, or the one who guides the souls of the deceased into the afterlife. In this function, he was seen as a mediator between the worlds of the living and the dead, a role that made him a fundamental figure in the rituals and beliefs of ancient Greece.

Maintenance

To keep your Hermes marble bust in perfect condition, we recommend cleaning it regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners that could damage the marble surface. If necessary, use a solution of warm water and neutral soap, drying immediately with a clean cloth to prevent the formation of streaks.