« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: Mercury bust statue  (Read 5098 times)

pawg1234

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Mercury bust statue
« on: July 22, 2011, 01:22:46 pm »
Hello everyone, new member here.
I have an old statue of mercury that was handed down to me and I wanted to find out anything that I can about it. (How much its worth, how old it is)
What I know (or think I know anyway) about this piece is:
Its made from either bronze or brass. (I sanded a small section on the bottom and it is a very goldish brown color underneath)
It is approximately 14 and a 1/4 inches tall and weighs about 4lbs.
My grandmother said that that she thought my grandfather got it in Italy.

Hopefully somebody here has some knowledge about it.

Thanks.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2011, 02:47:36 pm by pawg1234 »
Logged

pawg1234

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2011, 10:29:04 pm »
Nobody eh?
Logged

dontbe

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 471
  • Karma: +15/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://www.antique-shop.com
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2011, 12:41:19 pm »
Quote from: pawg1234 on July 22, 2011, 10:29:04 pm
Nobody eh?

Sometimes its a good thing that no one responds right away.. it means you don't have a common item.

Are three any makers marks on it? on the bottom?
Logged
Go to My Webpage
to talk about antiques and check on upcoming antique related events

dontbe

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 471
  • Karma: +15/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://www.antique-shop.com
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2011, 12:43:43 pm »
The bottom is brass? with that nice patina? What is the bust itself made out of?

(please tell me you didn't sand the patina off on the side of the pedestal :(  )
Logged
Go to My Webpage
to talk about antiques and check on upcoming antique related events

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2011, 12:49:15 pm »
And sometimes it takes a bit of research,,I haven`t found it yet !!
Logged

pawg1234

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2011, 01:00:08 pm »
Thanks for the replies. There are no visible markings that I can find anywhere which I'm sure can make it harder to do any research. I have searched the internet quite a bit and haven't found a similar piece anywhere.
Hopefully somebody has some info though. :)
« Last Edit: July 23, 2011, 01:07:43 pm by pawg1234 »
Logged

pawg1234

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2011, 01:32:09 pm »
Here is a couple more pics. One of the underside and another of the base.
Logged

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2011, 02:54:44 pm »
Does it say that the figure is Mercury ??  I do not think it is !!  I have never seen Mercury with a hat on !!
« Last Edit: July 23, 2011, 02:57:31 pm by mart »
Logged

waywardangler

  • Guest
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2011, 04:16:54 pm »
Mart, if you google images Mercury you can find Mercury with the same hat and a hat with wings. I had thought the same thing until I looked at a bunch of images. I could not find one with a hat and clothes draped like this one though.
Logged

dontbe

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 471
  • Karma: +15/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://www.antique-shop.com
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2011, 04:30:20 pm »
What is mercury himself made out of? Is he metal? of so, is he gold or gold plated? (just find it interesting that he is not oxidized.)
Logged
Go to My Webpage
to talk about antiques and check on upcoming antique related events

pawg1234

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2011, 05:51:39 pm »
I'm just assuming it is Mercury...possibly Hermes? Mercury himself seems to be made from the same material. all one solid piece. I'm not sure what is going on with the gold color though.
How long does it take for the patina to develop? It has looked this way since I can remember, almost 30 years. I think my grandfather obtained it in the 50's.
Logged

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2011, 06:46:35 pm »
OK, I did find those pics !!  Hermes and Mercury are the same I think !! Hermes is from Greek mythology and Mercury is Roman but is the same god !!  All I had seen before and what I could find using different search criteria had the wings on the side of his head !!  Of course I may not have paid close attention either !!  This is not my area of expertise unless its on a dime !!
Logged

pawg1234

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2011, 07:15:09 pm »
He seems to have had wings on the hat at one time but they are gone now.
Logged

waywardangler

  • Guest
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2011, 07:34:27 pm »
Quote
He seems to have had wings on the hat at one time but they are gone now.
And now that is a BIG problem with value.
Logged

pawg1234

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Mercury bust statue
« Reply #14 on: July 23, 2011, 07:37:40 pm »
Ill just glue some feathers to his hat. ;D
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »