Roman Bronze Applique in the Form of the Head of Apollo

$347.31

A Roman hollow-backed appliqué in the form of the god, Apollo. He is carefully depicted with coiffured hair, bushy eyebrows, and a wide-set nose. The eyes are deeply recessed, and even the eyelids have been carefully rendered by the craftsmen. His lips are full and appear slightly parted.

Date: Circa 2nd - 3rd Century AD
Condition: Some slight damage to surface, otherwise good metalwork with a fine even light green patination.

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Large bronze objects in the Ancient Roman world were often made using the hollow cast technique. The method allowed for the creation of bronze objects with a hollow back or centre, thereby reducing the amount of bronze used. Apollo, who was known to the Romans as Phoebus, was one of the most important deities in the Graeco-Roman canon. He was the god of oracles, healing, the sun, and poetry among other attributes. His multivalent nature, importance, and prevalence in mythology means that he was a popular deity both for worship and for artistic interpretation. He was the son of Zeus and Leto, and was a twin with Aretmis (goddess of the hunt). He had key sanctuaries at Delos and Rhodes- with Rhodes being famous for one of the seven wonders of the ancient world- the colossus of Rhodes which was an enormous statue of Apollo himself standing across the harbour.

Weight 39.7 g
Dimensions H 4.2 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Roman Mythology

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