Great Provenance - Large & Impressive Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Carved Wood Plaque Depicting Mercury

An early 19thC Spanish antique carved wooden panel (carved from deal - also known as pine) in original polychrome depicting Mercury with very good provenance.

The carved head and shoulders portrait is presented on a blue-painted roundel of ovoid form. His helmet bearing gilded wings, he is also depicted wearing a cloak with a gold fastener.

It is understood that this plaque was once mounted on a Spanish tall ship now long since lost.

Mercury was a Roman God. Mercury, Latin Mercurius, in Roman religion, god of shopkeepers and merchants, travellers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters. He is commonly identified with the Greek Hermes, the fleet-footed messenger of the gods.

Provenance - Deaccessioned from The Spanish Nautical College of Menorca. This carved panel is featured in the Spanish publication "L'Escola Nautica I El Port De Mao Al Segle xix" - translated "The Nautical School and the Port of Mao in the Nineteenth Century". Mao, also known as Mahon, is the capital of the Balearic Island of Menorca.

Condition - Please refer to the images. It is good overall and displays well. There are some surface abrasions and minor age-related losses to the polychrome however overall, the surface remains stable. There is evidence of an age-related split to the front right of the panel. This again is stable. A further condition report is available upon request.

Size: Width 37.5 cm x Height 43 cm x Depth 7 cm (14 3/4" x 17" x 2 3/4")