Find Spot record MDO19205 - Bronze Statuette of Mercury found in the Back Garden of the Free School, Dorchester

'In 1747, in the back garden of the free school, was found, at five feet depth, a brass image of a Roman deity, four inches and a half long, in a sitting posture, his left hand resting on something lost; the right on his thigh holding a purse. It had a young face, and on his head the petasus, or winged hat, the usual attribute of mercury.

'In 1747, in the back garden of the free school, was found, at five feet depth, a brass image of a Roman deity, four inches and a half long, in a sitting posture, his left hand resting on something lost; the right on his thigh holding a purse. It had a young face, and on his head the petasus, or winged hat, the usual attribute of mercury. It is now in the posession of the descendants of John Pitt, of Encombe, esq. formerly a representative of the of this town in parliament.
This figure afterwards came into the posession of the late Joseph Stone, esq. and by that gentleman was presented to the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester.
It appears to be a statue of Mercurius Mercator, who is represented with wings on his head, and a bag in his right hand.'

Hutchins, J, 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 2. 3rd edition, 394 (Monograph). SDO9443.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:37PM