Fragmented Figurine of Mercury / Herm (Petasos-wearing Male Bust)

Object/Artifact

-

Randolph College (Museum)

Name/Title

Fragmented Figurine of Mercury / Herm (Petasos-wearing Male Bust)

Entry/Object ID

RC.AC.06.33

Tags

Terracotta, Terracotta Votives

Description

This mold-made terracotta object preserves the head, neck, and upper bust of a young male figure, depicted in right profile or three-quarter view. The head is crowned with a winged or broad-brimmed traveler's hat (petasos) or crested cap characteristic of Mercury (Hermes). Soft curls or forward-combed fringe frame the forehead beneath the headpiece, above finely modeled facial features including a straight nose bridge, full lips, and a defined chin. Figure holding a purse. Composed of a warm, sandy buff-to-light tan earthenware clay matrix, the figure transitions from a thick neck into a rounded shoulder and bust termination. Created using a single press mold typical of Hellenistic and Roman votive terracottas, figures of this type were dedicated at sanctuary sites or kept in domestic shrines (lararia) as devotional offerings to protector and messenger deities.

Category

Terracotta Votives
Randolph College Ancient Collections

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Dr. Herbert Lispcomb

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown

Time Period

Early 4th Century BCE

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Relic, Religious

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Religious Objects

Nomenclature Class

Ceremonial Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Dimensions

Height

12.5 cm

Width

6.6 cm

Material

Terracotta

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Donated by Dr. Herbert Lipscomb

Acquisition Method

Found

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

August 10, 2026