Details

COLEM:1948.2

Colchester Collections

figure, figurine

The Colchester Mercury

This Roman copper-alloy statue was found by a local farmer at Gosbecks, on the south west edge of Colchester. The figure is Mercury, the Roman god of travellers and merchants and is considered one of the finest Roman bronzes so far discovered in Britain. It's discovery in this location suggests there would have been a temple or shrine to the god, positioned on the main road connecting Colchester to London. Throughout the Roman period, both these towns were hugely important in the administration of the province and trade coming in and out of Britain. For the Romans, the prospect of a successful journey could not have been left to chance so many would have made offerings of thanks or requests for safe travel as they entered or left the town. The style and production of the statue indicate it was either made on the continent or made in Britain with someone who had trained in continental artistic/metalworking styles. The local British people created stylised or abstract forms of art, whereas this very natural look is what gives it a distinctly Roman feel. Few other statues in metal of this style have been found in Britain, making this example even more exceptional for both the region and the country.

0100 - 0200

Roman

height: 548.00 mm
width: 145.00 mm
depth: 95.00 mm