Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A sweet, solid cast bronze statuette of the youthful Attis (also spelled Atys), the god of vegetation and consort of Cybele (or Agdistis, the Great Mother of Gods), worshipped in Phrygia, Asia Minor, and eventually throughout the Roman Empire, where he was understood as a solar deity in the 2nd century CE. Attis was essentially a vegetation god, and via self-mutilation, death, and resurrection he represented the fruits of the earth, which see their demise in winter only to rise again in the spring. Here we see Attis wearing his signature short tunic, Phrygian cap and trousers, which in ancient Rome is associated with the Mithraic Mysteries, an astrology-centric cult that had followers throughout the Roman Empire. He sits, resting his head on his left hand/arm with that arm's crooked elbow upon his right hand, both upon his upraised left knee. Custom stand. Size: 2.25" H (5.7 cm); 2.75" H (7 cm) on stand

Provenance: ex-French collection

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#123472

Well-executed restoration to right foot. Perforation on underside to fit stand. Overall excellent with gorgeous green and russet patina.