 |
|
Home |
|
Cute Roman Bronze Mouse Attachment browse these categories for related items... Directory: Archives:Regional Art:Ancient World:Roman: Pre AD 1000: Item # 493503
Janus Antiquities By Appointment New Jersey (330) 612-3957 Guest Book SOLD |
|
|||||
|
In the ancient world, the mouse was associated with divination and chthonic deities, as well as being used to symbolize the afterlife and rebirth. In Asia Minor in particular, the mouse was associated with medicine and worshipped in connection with the cult of Asclepius and Apollo Smintheus (Apollo the Mouse God) and displayed on medical instruments. The ancient Greeks originally associated Apollo with mice as they linked mice with the bringing of disease, and they worshipped Apollo Smintheus in order to ward off plagues and illness. (The opening episode of Homer's "Iliad" has Apollo sending a plague among the Greek army before Troy. Apollo shot his arrows with the plague at mules and dogs in the camp and then, later, at the Greek soldiers themselves ["Iliad", 1.9ff]. The disease only abated after the Greeks had appeased Apollo with sacrifices. Sickness, such as dysentery, could spread rapidly and be fatal, especially when exacerbated by battlefield conditions.
This latter association may explain why the mouse has been found associated with gravestones and equipment belonging to the Roman praetorian guard, the elite soldiers responsible for the safety of the emperor. Several praetorian tombstones with a mouse and bread loaf motif have been recovered, and a similar motif is known from a spectacular helmet formerly in the Axel Guttman collection. Based on the small knob on the bottom, this piece was clearly intended to be attached to a larger bronze object, such as an officer's fine bronze oil lamp or a surgeon's medical kit. The mouse is rendered in motion, with its right foot extended forward in a tentative step and its fur naturally sculpted. This is a fascinating bronze sculpture that packs a tremendous amount of detail and character into just a little over an inch! AGE: Roman, ca. 2nd-4th century A.D. CONDITION: Intact with a fine patina. A lucite display stand is included as shown. DIMENSIONS: 2.6cm, just a little over 1" |
||||||
|
||||||
| Home | Join | Shops | Map | Terms | Help | |
