{"product_id":"roman-bronze-figure-of-mars","title":"Roman Bronze Figure of Mars","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoman Empire, circa 1st–3rd century A.D. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA finely cast solid-bronze statuette of the war god Mars depicted as a youthful nude warrior striding forward, the head turned sharply to his proper right and surmounted by a high crested or plumed helmet. A military cloak (paludamentum) is gathered over the left shoulder and falls in deep folds along the back and arm, while the arms are extended to either side, the hands once grasping the attributes now lost—almost certainly a spear in one and a shield or patera in the other. The modeling of the torso, with incised musculature and pubic detail, and the lively contrapposto are characteristic of provincial Roman votive bronzes of the Imperial period. The surface bears an attractive earthen and green-brown patina consistent with age and burial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight 2-5\/8 inches (6.7 cm); 3 inches (7.6 cm) overall on a fitted black display stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch small bronzes of Mars functioned as votive offerings or as figures within a domestic shrine (lararium), where deities and Lares were honored, and they survive in considerable numbers from across the Empire, including the celebrated silver-inlaid example from Earith in the British Museum. The type, shown in full armor or heroic nudity with crested helmet, spear, and shield, is consistently dated by auction houses and dealers to the 1st–3rd centuries A.D.. Condition: intact figure with stable patina, and there is minor wear to the extremities, missing foot, all entirely consistent with age. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvenance: Mr. Sid Hart, Cos Cob, Connecticut, acquired 1980s–1990s\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Art for Eternity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53662029185338,"sku":"17689","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0775\/5120\/6714\/files\/17689z.jpg?v=1782770111","url":"https:\/\/howardnowes.com\/products\/roman-bronze-figure-of-mars","provider":"Art for Eternity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}