1st-3rd century AD. A bronze statuette of Telesphorus dressed in a long hooded cape covering everything apart face, hands slightly stretched forwards; incised cross-like decoration to the front. Cf. Durham, E. Metal Figurines in Roman Britain: Volume 2, University of Reading, 2010, plate 56-57. 30.35 grams, 42mm (1 1/2"). Property of a European collector; acquired Europe, 1980s-1990s. Telesphorus was a son of Asclepius, god associated with healing and medicine, whose name means the accomplisher or bringer of completion. He symbolised recovery from illness and was depicted as a dwarf whose head was always covered with a cowl hood or cap, frequently accompanied by his sister Hygieia. Telesphorus is assumed to have been a Celtic god in origin, who was taken to Anatolia by the Galatians in the 3rd century BC, where he would have become associated with the Asclepius and spread again to the West due to the rise of the Roman Empire, in particular during the 2nd century AD. The statue of Telesphorus excavated in Moulézan bears very similar incised decoration and dress style; however other statuettes of hooded figures, in general called genius cucullati, were found in regions across the Romano-Celtic region varying in style and size.

Very fine condition.