ITEM: Statuette of a mouse MATERIAL: Bronze CULTURE: Roman PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 17 mm x 27 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, acquired before 2000s Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license If you bid outside the european union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks. Statuettes of mice in the Roman world represent a charming and curious subset of ancient "genre art," which focused on the observation of everyday life. These small figures, typically cast in bronze, were remarkably lifelike, capturing the rodent in naturalistic poses—often hunched over a piece of food or nibbling on a nut. While larger-than-life statues were reserved for gods and emperors, these miniature animals reflect a Roman appreciation for the whimsical and the domestic, serving as decorative items that brought a sense of playfulness to the home. The symbolism of the mouse in Roman culture was multifaceted, ranging from a household nuisance to a creature of religious significance. In some contexts, the mouse was associated with Apollo Smintheus (Apollo the Mouse-God), who had the power to both bring and avert plagues. However, most household statuettes were likely intended as apotropaic charms or "trinkets" meant to bring good luck. Because mice were known for their ability to find food in the most hidden places, they were sometimes viewed as symbols of abundance or cleverness, and having a bronze version in the house might have been a humorous nod to the "uninvited guests" of the Roman pantry. Technically, these figurines demonstrate the Roman mastery of lost-wax casting on a miniature scale. Artisans were able to render fine details such as the texture of the fur, the delicate curve of the tail, and the tiny, bead-like eyes. Many of these mice were designed as free-standing ornaments for shelves or tables, but some were also attached to larger objects, such as the handles of oil lamps or the lids of bronze vessels. These small, tactile objects remind us that Roman art was not always solemn or monumental; it also embraced the small, the familiar, and even the mischievous aspects of the natural world.