Perhaps part of a herm, the sculpture was found in the waters of the port of Baia among the remains of the submerged imperial palace.

Of a relatively late production, the head was perhaps inspired by the type known as Hermes Propylaios by Alcamenes. The original dates back to the mid-V century B.C. and was seen by Pausanias on the acropolis of Athens.

The style of the sculpture from Baiae seems to accentuate artificially the most archaistic traits.