Roman, Imperial period, ca. 212 to 217 CE. A beautiful, detailed portrait bust of Emperor Caracalla (ruled from 198 to 217 CE), made from creamy white sardonyx. He is shown wearing a cuirass, his head turned slightly to his right, a laurel wreath in his short hair, with a characteristic short beard, his mustache framing his scowling mouth, and with a heavy brow and creased forehead. His eyes are articulated. The portrait is lifelike, with his deeply furrowed brow reminiscent of other known portraits of this Emperor. Size: 0.85" W x 1.25" H (2.2 cm x 3.2 cm)
Caracalla's portrait reveals his character. Even though he and other emperors of the Severan period tried to tie themselves symbolically to the Antonine emperors who came before to gain legitimacy, he forewent the long locks and thick beards of his predecessors in favor of the shorter military cut. In life, he is remembered as a brutal ruler, one of the most intimidating tyrants of the Roman era, who massacred his own people and favored the military over all other aspects of Roman life. In the 18th century, French artists revived his memory to draw parallels between his tyranny and that of Louis XVI.
This piece sold at Christie's, New York, December 9, 2008, Lot 300 for $5250.
Provenance: private Dere collection, New York, New York, USA; ex-Christie's, New York, December 9, 2008, Lot 300 (property of a Massachusetts private collector); ex-Christie's, New York, 13 December 2002, lot 619
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#157263
Condition
Minute chips and nicks on surface commensurate with age but otherwise in generally excellent condition with vivid details. There are traces of a waxy residue on the undecorated verso.