Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Portrait Head of Emperor Marcus Aurelius

$414,291.46List Price

About the Item

A marble portrait head of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180 A.D.), in his fourth and final portrait type. Known as the Capitoline Imperatori 38 type, after the most famous example, these portraits were created towards the end of his reign, between 170 and 180 A.D.. The emperor is depicted with a long beard, falling in waves and coils around his chin. His hair is full and curled high over the face, and falls in orderly rows on the reverse. His facial features are stern, without appearing harsh, with firmly set eyebrows slightly drawn together above sharp almond-shaped eyes. Strong cheekbones and a pensively downturned mouth complete the image of the emperor as ruler and philosopher. The later portraits of Marcus Aurelius embody his status as emperor and one of the great Stoic philosophers. He was trained in philosophy and governance from a young age. Despite the economic and military pressures affecting his reign, he endeavoured to write a philosophical treatise in Greek. His Meditations are a series of metaphysical reflections on duty, virtue, justice, and the subordination of the individual to the tasks facing the wider community, which still hold value today: ‘People exist for the sake of one another; teach them, then, or bear with them’. Historians Cassius Dio (c. 155-235 A.D.) and the author of the fourth century Historia Augusta, refer to Marcus Aurelius as ‘the philosopher’. He was introduced to philosophy in his early teens, around 132 A.D., by a teacher named Diognetus. He was probably introduced to the Cynic Philosophers, who sought to live a simple life and disregard all social conventions as artifice, which Aurelius followed – opting to dress in a rough woollen cloak, and sleeping on the ground rather than a bed. He was also tutored in oratory and rhetoric by the highly respected Herodes Atticus and Marcus Cornelius Fronto, who advised him throughout his life. The fuller beard of his later portraits symbolises wisdom and philosophical depth, and his features hold an introspective seriousness. As with Hadrian and Antoninus Pius before him, Marcus Aurelius’s portraits recall those of Greek philosophers from five hundred years previous, with broad faces, thick beards and curled hair. Marcus Aurelius was betrothed to Ceionia Fabia, daughter of respected politician Lucius Ceionius Commodus, and sister of his future co-emperor, Lucius Verus (r. 161-169 A.D.). In 136 A.D., Hadrian selected Lucius Ceionius Commodus as his successor, possibly in order to secure the succession of the then teenage Aurelius. After Commodus died in 138 A.D., Hadrian then selected Aurelius Antoninius as his successor, on the stipulation that he adopted Aurelius and Lucius Verus as his sons and successors. Aurelius’s earlier betrothal was annulled and he was married to Antoninus’ daughter Anna Galeria Faustina (known as Faustina the Younger) in 145 A.D.. Antoninus coached Aurelius on how to become an efficient ruler, and brought Apollonius of Chalcedon and the Stoic Quintus Junius Rusticus to court to tutor him in philosophy. When Antoninus Pius died in 161 A.D., Aurelius refused to accept the role of emperor unless Lucius Verus was elevated alongside him. The pair began their reign by instituting programs to help the poor and reward the military with greater pay and honour. They encouraged free speech, the arts, education, and boosted the economy by debasing the currency; making the two emperors highly popular with the people. While Verus was fighting the Parthian Wars (161-166 A.D.), Aurelius remained and Rome and managed internal affairs, until 167, when he joined the campaign against the Marcomanni tribe of Germania and the Persia Sarmatians. Verus died in 169 A.D., and Aurelius continued to rule alone, and spent much of the remainder of his reign in the field against the Germanic tribes. Aurelius led Rome to victory in 178 A.D., and retired to winter quarters at Vindobona, where he died in 180 A.D.. His Meditations were copied and preserved, with the first printed edition published in 1559.

Dimensions:
Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)Width: 11.03 in (28 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40 cm)
Style:
Classical Roman (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Marble
Place of Origin:
Europe
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 170-180 A.D.
Condition:
Repaired: Both eyes and brows partially restored and over-painted. Minor infill on some chips over the hair at the front and proper right side. Wear consistent with age and use. Main area of damage over the nose and lips. Large chips over the hair above the forehead. Some losses to the edge of.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: D44991stDibs: LU5517246237182

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

A Roman bronze head attachment of a youth

$2,551

H 2.17 in W 2.17 in D 0.79 in

A Finely Carved Gandhara Head of ‘Atlas’

Located in London, GB

A Finely Carved Gandhara Head of ‘Atlas’ Grey schist India 3rd - 4th Centuries AD SIZE: 19cm high, 11cm wide, 12.5cm deep - 7½ ins high, 4¼ ins wide, 5 ...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indian Antiquities

Materials

Schist

A Finely Carved Gandhara Head of ‘Atlas’

$35,000

H 7.5 in W 4.25 in D 5 in

A Roman gold pendant with portrait cameo

Located in UTRECHT, UT

The loop attached to an oval fitting with radiant decoration. The cameo made of agate, showing the profile of a female bust with hair pinned up. The portrait in the style of Faustina...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Gold

A Roman gold pendant with portrait cameo

$11,867

H 1.42 in W 0.4 in D 0.16 in

American Rustic Taxidermied of a Grey Deer Head

Located in Queens, NY

American Rustic Taxidermied of a Grey deer head with short antlers

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Rustic Antiquities

Materials

Antler

American Rustic Taxidermied of a Grey Deer Head

$900

H 13 in W 13 in D 21 in

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

Located in Antwerp, BE

Ancient Greek mould-made terracotta antefix decorated with the female head of the Goddess Artemis Bendis. Western Greek, Italy, Taranto, early 4th century BC. Two small feathered win...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Antiquities

Materials

Stone

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

$6,645

H 7.49 in Dm 7.49 in

Olokun Head, Kingdom of Ife, Western Nigeria Hand Carved Hardwood

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Fascinating detailed Olokun head from the Kingdom of Ife in Western Nigeria. Hand carved hardwood face with almond shaped eyes, neck creases and astounding facial incisions Circa 1...

Category

Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Hardwood

Olokun Head, Kingdom of Ife, Western Nigeria Hand Carved Hardwood

$615

Free Shipping

H 12 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in

Ivory handle walking stick depicts the head of a monk, England 1880.

Located in Milan, IT

Walking stick: ivory knob. The handle depicts the head of a laughing monk. Bamboo wood cane, with silver eyelets for the through hole of the lace. Silver ring band. England circa 188...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Antiquities

Materials

Silver

Ivory handle walking stick depicts the head of a monk, England 1880.

$1,780

H 34 in W 2 in D 2 in

Folk art walking stick depicting the head of a man, USA 1880.

Located in Milan, IT

Folk art walking stick: one piece of fruitwood depicting the head of a man. United States of America circa 1880.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Antiquities

Materials

Fruitwood

Folk art walking stick depicting the head of a man, USA 1880.

$1,305

H 36.5 in W 8 in D 2 in

Silver handle walking stick, depicting the head of a horse Germany 1900.

Located in Milan, IT

Walking stick: silver handle, depicting the head of a horse. Ebony wood shaft. Metal ferrule, brass and iron. Germany circa 1900.

Category

Early 20th Century German Antiquities

Materials

Metal, Silver, Brass, Iron

Silver handle walking stick, depicting the head of a horse Germany 1900.

$1,127

H 34.5 in W 3.5 in D 1 in

Rustic Mounted Deer Head Taxidermy

Located in Queens, NY

American Country style taxidermy deer head with antlers mounted on oak shield shaped wall plaque

Category

Early 20th Century American Rustic Antiquities

Materials

Antler

Rustic Mounted Deer Head Taxidermy

$1,200

H 31 in W 15 in

More From This Seller

View All

Marble Head of Hermes

Located in London, GB

Roman head of the god Hermes in an archaising style, following a Greek model from the fourth century B.C.. Hermes is depicted in manner typically found on herms, with a full beard of...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Marble Head of Hermes

$69,532

Corsican Bronze Hoard

Located in London, GB

Dagger L: 27.8 cm, Luniform bronze, possibly a belt buckle L: 10.8 cm, Shield-shaped bronze with a point Diam: 6.5 cm, Pommel Diam: 3.7 cm, Violin-bow brooch L: 17.5 cm, P-Shape...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

Corsican Bronze Hoard

$88,608 / set

Torso of a Youth

Located in London, GB

A marble statue of a youth in contrapposto position. The torso is idealised but has only softly suggested muscles, giving the impression of youth. The beginnings of the slender arms ...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Torso of a Youth

$449,768

Figure of Khnum

Located in London, GB

A striding figure of the Egyptian god Khnum, in bronze. The god is depicted as a man with a ram’s head, with two large horns curving inwards and forwards towards the face, in the sty...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

Figure of Khnum

$29,020

Facial Fragment of a Corinthian Helmet

Located in London, GB

Ancient Greek city-states such as Corinth were defended by the hoplites (derived from the hopla or round shield), citizen-soldiers primarily armed with swords, spears and shields. S...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

Facial Fragment of a Corinthian Helmet

$191,437

Cycladic Idol

Located in London, GB

A marble figure of the early Spedos type of sculpture produced during the Early Cycladic II Period. The simplified figure is depicted in the canonical posture, with incised arms fold...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Antiquities

Materials

Marble

Cycladic Idol

$121,699

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed

Portrait Head of Emperor Marcus Aurelius

About the Item

You May Also Like

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antiquities

A Roman bronze head attachment of a youth

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indian Antiquities

A Finely Carved Gandhara Head of ‘Atlas’

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antiquities

A Roman gold pendant with portrait cameo

Antique Late 19th Century American Rustic Antiquities

American Rustic Taxidermied of a Grey Deer Head

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Antiquities

Ancient Greek Terracotta Antefix in Form of the Head of Artemis Bendis, Taranto

Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Antiquities

Olokun Head, Kingdom of Ife, Western Nigeria Hand Carved Hardwood

Antique Late 19th Century English Antiquities

Ivory handle walking stick depicts the head of a monk, England 1880.

Antique Late 19th Century American Antiquities

Folk art walking stick depicting the head of a man, USA 1880.

Early 20th Century German Antiquities

Silver handle walking stick, depicting the head of a horse Germany 1900.

Early 20th Century American Rustic Antiquities

Rustic Mounted Deer Head Taxidermy

More From This Seller

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Antiquities

Marble Head of Hermes

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Antiquities

Corsican Bronze Hoard

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Antiquities

Torso of a Youth

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Antiquities

Figure of Khnum

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Antiquities

Facial Fragment of a Corinthian Helmet

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Antiquities

Cycladic Idol

Still Thinking About These?