{"product_id":"rb2012","title":"A Roman Bronze hand of Sabazios, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 2nd - 3rd century CE","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"p1\"\u003eThis sculptured bronze right hand is hollow-cast from the Thracian mystery cult of Sabazios which became popular throughout the Roman empire.  With the thumb, index and middle finger raised, it is \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eperforming the \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ebenedictio latina\u003c\/em\u003e blessing and is covered with various mystical symbology.  Here,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e snakes, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ewhose heads appear between the fingers, intertwine around the wrist and hand with birds and grapes attached to their bodies.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"\u003eThe bronze \"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHand of Sabazios\", such as this example, were presumably attached to staffs and displayed in processions. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis practice was probably introduced into the cult of Sabazios towards the very end of the Hellenistic period or the beginning of the Roman Empire, as indicated by the earliest finds of such hands. However, the gesture existed much earlier, for it is found on Attic black- and red-figured pottery and is often associated with Hermes in his role as instructor and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"\u003ePsychopompos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"\u003e. From the beginning of the Hellenistic period, the gesture was mainly used to indicate speech, the knowledge conveyed through speech and wisdom acquired through the initiations of mystic cults. As the symbols on the hands are often associated with the Underworld, it is proposed the Sabazian mysteries dealt with life after death and the Underworld.   The “Hand of Sabazios,” subsequently inspired the “Hand of Benediction” and the “Hand of God” that has permeated Christian art and culture for thousands of years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"p1\"\u003eRef: SE Johnson, The Present State of Sabazios Research, ANRW II 17.4 (1984) 1583-1613; R. Fellmann, The Sabazios Cult in: MJ Vermaserern, The Oriental Religions in the Roman Empire (1981) p. 316 ff, Berndt, Susanne. “The Hand Gesture and Symbols of Sabazios.” Opuscula. Annual of the Swedish Institutes at Athens and Rome 11 (n.d.) (2018): 151–68. doi:10.30549\/OPATHROM-11-08\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003eHeight: 4 3\/4\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003einches (12 cm), Length: 2 1\/2 inches (6.35 cm), Width: 1 3\/4 inches (4.4 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eWith heavy patina, intact and in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/strong\u003eEx S. Rosenbaum-Kroeber Collection, 1960 - 1984, Ascona, Switzerland; thereafter a private German collection, acquired in 1988 and then by descent.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gorny \u0026 Mosch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41510627016842,"sku":"RB2012","price":1397900.0,"currency_code":"PKR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0305\/5167\/0922\/products\/RB2012_3_e8fd1904-b4aa-45b1-855a-937b782710e2.jpg?v=1658128127","url":"https:\/\/client-446.myshopify.com\/products\/rb2012","provider":"Wixpa Demo Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}