ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Early Christian Hermes Inside a Nut, Roman, 3rd/4th Century AD

Diminutive Roman sculpture of Hermes holding a purse and the Caduceus. Exquisite head with carefully carved features, drilled pupils and closely cropped hair topped by the wings of the helmet.

Hermes is inside a natural-size nut. A small hole on the side to close the nutshell with a similar half to form a small diptych.

In the spirit of the incipient Christian tradition, although still using pagan gods and classical imagery to represent Christ.

Very fine. The right side and the lower area of the item chipped. Recurrent use of the drill.

H. 3.6 cm (1.4 in), W. 3.1 cm (1.2 in)

Swiss art market

3200 USD