Hercules and Antaeus

This statuette represents Hercules and Antaeus and is freely adapted from the larger group by Antonio del Pollaiuolo (1431-1498), which is in the Bargello, Florence.

Hercules, who wears the lion's pelt around his waist with the lion's mask facing backwards, lifts up Antaeus, who has his head thrown back and pushes against Hercules' head with his left hand. On a base that has claw feet and foliate motifs at the corners.

In this mythological combat, Hercules holds the giant Antaeus in the air in a vice-like grip, because Antaeus drew his strength from touching the earth.