A Roman Bronze Figure of Hermes, circa 2nd Century A.D.

standing with the weight on his left leg, his head turned to his right, and holding the pigskin money bag in his right hand, the separately-cast caduceus formerly cradled in his left arm, and wearing winged sandals, himation falling from the left shoulder and draped over the left forearm, and winged petasos.

Sotheby’s, London, July 7th-8th, 1994, no. 429, part, illus. (“Property of a Gentleman”), shown on a bronze base
Estate of William B. Dietrich (1942-2010), Villanova, Penn., acquired at the above sale

Good overall. Tips of wings fragmentary, tips of index and middle fingers of proper left hand and pinky toe on proper left foot missing. Stress crack across money bag directly below right hand. The entire bronze appears to have been covered with a thick layer of paint (?) and waxed. Spot cleaning on the sole of the proper left foot reveals ancient corrosion.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a virtually identical figure on a bronze base, probably from the same workshop, see Spink and Son, London, Greek and Roman Antiquities from Famous Private Collections & Recent Excavations, 1925, no. 27, illus. (Salomon Reinach, Répertoire de la statuaire grecque et romaine, vol. VI, Paris, 1930, p. 29, no. 5)