Object Detail
Description
umbrella stand of a cherub holding a serpent / snake stand, umbrella [stick], (Hercules wrestling a serpent), original design registered circa 1860 by Edwin & Theophilus Smith, Sheffield A very rare and original example of this figurative cast iron stick / umbrella stand depicting a young Hercules against a leafy background wrestling with a serpent which forms the body of the holder. The grassy base forms the removable drip tray.
Cast iron umbrella stand depicting the baby Hercules wrestling with the snake. The jealous Hera sent the snake to destroy the child. Hercules was born the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Alkemene. Hera, the wife of Zeus, was so enraged by this act of infidelity that she sent two poisonous serpents to kill the eight month old child while he slept. The child Hercules strangled the serpents, much to Hera’s dismay, and went on to become one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology.
Cast iron umbrella stand depicting the baby Hercules wrestling with the snake. The jealous Hera sent the snake to destroy the child. Hercules was born the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Alkemene. Hera, the wife of Zeus, was so enraged by this act of infidelity that she sent two poisonous serpents to kill the eight month old child while he slept. The child Hercules strangled the serpents, much to Hera’s dismay, and went on to become one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology.
Maker and role
manufacturer: Edwin & Theophilus Smith
Production place
Sheffield, England
Production date
circa 1860
Media description
cast iron
Measurements
850 x 480 x 250 mm
Inscriptions
[marked to the reverse O.WF]
Credit line
Foundation Collection, 1989
Project credit line
This digital record has been made available on TJC Collection Online through a significant donation from the OPENING DOORS fund, the generous support of The Friends of The Johnston Collection, and Digitisation Champion Christine Bell
Accession number
A0741
TJC reference number
951
