Ancient Roman statuary at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: MERCURIO (Rogers Fund, 1920)

Speranza

Bronze statuette of Hermes seated on a rock
Period: Imperial
Date: 1st–2nd century A.D.
Culture: Roman
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: H. 14.8 cm
Classification: Bronzes
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1920
Accession Number: 1920.202
This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 164

Adaptation of a Greek work of the 4th or 3rd century B.C.

Hermes was known to the Romans as Mercurio.

While his principal character is that of the divine herald, for which he is often represented with the kerykeion (herald's staff), here he holds a purse in his hand, indicating his role as the god of commerce.

References

Richter, Gisela M.A. 1923. "Classical Bronzes: Recent Accessions." Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 18(3): pp. 74-75, fig. 7.