We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: A.3-1987
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

Heroic Head

Bust
late 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This head is based on the original from the Antique, which is in the British Museum. It was found in Ostia in ca. 1795, and came to the British Museum in 1856 via the collection of Samuel Rogers. The head is a Roman copy of a late classical or early Hellenistic original, and probably depicts Hermes. A similar head can be found on the statue of the sandal-binding Hermes by Lysippus, now in the Louvre (Louvre MA 83).


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHeroic Head (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Plaster cast
Brief description
Bust, plaster cast, A Heroic Head, probably Hermes, after the antique, by D. Brucciani, English, 19th century
Physical description
The head and neck are shown, the head turned to the left, with the mouth slightly open. Printed on the back is the name of the artist. On a round socle.
Dimensions
  • Approx height: 54cm
Marks and inscriptions
'D. BRUCCIANI' (on the back of bust.)
Object history
Given by Mrs. T.R.P. Hole, The Oak House, Dorset, in 1987.
The original is in the British Museum.
Production
Anglo-Italian; after the Antique
Summary
This head is based on the original from the Antique, which is in the British Museum. It was found in Ostia in ca. 1795, and came to the British Museum in 1856 via the collection of Samuel Rogers. The head is a Roman copy of a late classical or early Hellenistic original, and probably depicts Hermes. A similar head can be found on the statue of the sandal-binding Hermes by Lysippus, now in the Louvre (Louvre MA 83).
Bibliographic references
  • Brucciani, D. & Co. Ltd., Catalogue of Casts for Schools, London, 1892, cat. no. 2258
  • Medlam, S., The Bettine, Lady Abingdon Collection (the Bequest of MB T.R.P. Hole): A Handbook, London, 1996, cat. no. S. 2, fig. 95
Collection
Accession number
A.3-1987

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON