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HJB Home > Antiquities Home > The Fixed Price List > Greek > Inv. # aq20790

Hellenistic Rare Hellenistic Greek Silver Rondel of Hercules ca. 3rd-2nd Century BC. This silver repousse applique depicts the head and upper torso of Hercules, who is arguably the most famous of heroes from classical Greek and Roman mythology. Hercules is represented in profile holding a shield in front, with his typically muscular upper body, along with the heavy curls of his hair and full beard. The piece is pierced on the upper and lower sides with two small square holes from nails. Such silver pieces, complete with square holes, were likely bosses on armor or adornments on furniture. Stylistically, the piece looks to be Eastern Greek, likely from the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. It has most of its original blackish burial patina intact, with minor crush marks and small spots of slight porosity. The silver, however, is in generally good shape, and it could be further cleaned to its silver surface, as most museum examples of this type are. A very rare type, in a very rare precious metal of a beloved mythological figure. Diameter 2 1/8" (5.4 cm).