After Jean de Boulogne, known as Giambologna, (1529 - 1608), a pair of patinated bronze models of Mercury and Fame, late 19th century, both portrayed nude and supported aloft on the breath of a Nimbus, the former with caduceus wand, winged petasus and winged ankles, the latter holding a laurel sprig and a trumpet; on cylindrical marmo rouge griotte mounted relief cast bronze pedestals, the friezes with cavorting amorini, 59cm high The Mercury is one of the most famous and replicated works of the Renaissance, but was originally intended by Giambologna to be viewed on its own and importantly, from all sides -thoroughly in line with his Mannerist ideals. It was only in the 19th century that casts after the original were offered for sale as pairs, the Mercury more usually being allied with Fortuna, but sometimes with Iris, and more rarely with Fame (Pheme in Greek, Fama to the Romans) as in this case. Giambologna's original bronze of 1580 was first installed at the Villa Medici in Rome, being positioned at the order of Ferdinando de Medici atop a fountain which formed a focal point on the formal staircase between the sumptuous gardens and the loggia entrance to the Villa In 1780 the Mercury was moved to the Uffizi Museum, and then finally in 1865, to the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence