MAGNA GRAECIA, CLASSICAL PERIOD, CIRCA 500-480 B.C.

The ram, a common sacrificial animal, is often associated with Hermes, patron deity of shepherds, travelers and tradesmen. The kerykeion, carried by Hermes, frequently has rams' head terminals. While the present example is Greek from Southern Italy, it finds a close parallel carried by the shepherd Paris, son of Priam, on a painted funerary plaque found in an Etruscan tomb at Caere and now in the British Museum (Accession no. 1889.0410.1-5).