Bronze finial of a kerykeion (herald's staff)

Unknown

late 6th–early 5th century BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

A pair of intertwined snakes typically surmounts the staff carried by Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Here they are set on top of a Doric column. The heads of the snakes are articulated with particularly fine detail.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 6th–early 5th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989