1st-2nd century AD. A Gaulish bronze figure of Hercules (Greek Herakles) standing nude with right arm raised to strike with a club, left arm extended and covered by a lion skin mantle; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 85-89, for similar figures; see Roymans N., Ethnic Identity and Imperial Power, the Batavians in the early Roman Empire, Amsterdam, 2006, for discussion.91 grams total, 10.5cm including stand (4"). Property of a Durham, UK, lady; formerly in the collection of her mother, Mrs Allan; acquired from Sotheby & Co, 34-35 New Bond Street, London, UK, 25 March 1963, lot 108 [part]; thence by descent to the current owner; accompanied by a collector’s tag, and a copy of the 1963 catalogue pages. The Gallo-Roman tradition of representing Hercules may derive from the syncretism of the Roman Hercules with Magusanus, a local deity or hero. Found in the Gallo-Roman sanctuary at Empel were many pieces of military equipment, a bronze figurine of Hercules and a votive inscription to Hercules Magusanus. The Gallo-Roman temple at Elst was associated with Hercules Magusanus by the recent find of a bronze figurine of Hercules.