1st-2nd century AD. A silver standing youthful male figure of a lar (domestic god) in a short girdled rustic tunic with patera in the left hand and raised rhyton with animal-head finial in the right hand. 44 grams, 68mm (2 3/4"). Property of a London collector, acquired before 1980. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, figs. 128-133. The lares (plural) were domestic gods who protected the house and home, oversaw the crops and were identified with the family ancestors. Under Greek influence, they became associated with the Dioskouroi and were depicted as youthful males with patera and rhyton, dressed in a tunic made from the skin of a dog (according to Plutarch, Roman Questions).

Very fine condition.