interesting find on the statuette, or whatever it is. I would be pretty sure it depicts the Roman god Mercury, who has parallels with the Greek god Hermes. They share certain aspects of symbolism, including a winged hat (petasus for Romans or petasos for Greeks), a short cloak draped over one shoulder (chlamys for Romans or khlamus for Greeks), winged sandals (talaria for Romans or ptenopedilos for Greeks) and a staff/wand that may have entwined snakes (caduceus for Romans or karykeion for Greeks).
Here there’s no caduceus or talaria, but they aren’t always present, depending on the intended symbolism. Although the two gods have shared/borrowed iconography, for the ancient Greeks, Hermes was the herald or messenger of the gods and guide to the underworld (but also with associations to travellers, thieves, merchants, and orators); for the Romans, Mercury was principally the god of commerce and financial gain (but also with associations to travellers, messages/communication and other disciplines). The “Mercury” name probably has its roots in the Latin words “merx” (merchandise), “mercari” (to trade), and “merces” (wages). For those reasons, Mercury is often depicted with a purse or money bag in one hand; Hermes usually not.
I beieve that what looks like a small flask in the figure’s left hand is the purse or money bag usually associated with Mercury, as in the representations below.
I have no idea what is in the figure’s other hand, except that it isn’t any of the usual items associated with Mercury (or Hermes)… nor any idea how old the item might be or what it was for, unless simply decorative.
ADDITION: Car hood ornament? Clock finial?
