Bronze ring with carved decoration of standing Hercules.
Herakles, or Hercules, was one of the most popular figures of Greek mythology. The son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Hercules was gifted with superhuman strength, but spent his life plagued with trials and tragedies often sent by Zeus’ jealous wife Hera. Half-man and half-god, Herakles represented the potential for man’s extreme strengths as well as extreme weaknesses. Images of his trials, triumphs, and pathos frequently adorn Greek and Roman art.
Condition: Carved decoration on ring worn and difficult to discern, but overall intact and in very good condition.
Dimensions: US ring sixe 5 1/2
Provenance: Philip Mitry private collection and then by descent.