Untitled 1787 - 1790

This wooden sculpture, made around the late 18th century by Simeon Skillin, features a female figure holding a caduceus, a staff entwined by two snakes. This symbol, rooted in Greco-Roman antiquity, represents Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods, commerce, and, notably, healing. We see this emblem echoed through the ages, from ancient Greece to modern medicine, yet its interpretation has not been linear. Often confused with the Rod of Asclepius, which has only one snake, the caduceus, despite its association with trade, has been adopted by medical institutions. The intertwined snakes themselves carry potent symbolism. Snakes, throughout history, embody duality – life and death, poison and cure. The image invites us to delve into the depths of our collective memory, where symbols resonate with ancestral echoes, transcending time and culture. This statue captures the continuous, cyclical nature of symbols, their power to resurface and adapt, weaving a complex tapestry of meaning across generations.