REIGN 193-211 A.D.

Details

A ROMAN MARBLE PORTRAIT HEAD OF EMPEROR SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
REIGN 193-211 A.D.
Depicted lifesized, his hair a mass of thick curls, with a broad forehead, his eyebrows incised, with heavy upper lids above large, almond-shaped, convex eyes, the pupils articulated, with a full mustache and his characteristic beard divided at the center of his chin
11 in. (27.9 cm.) high

Provenance

with Jürgen Haering, Freiburg, 1986.
with Royal-Athena Galleries, Los Angeles, 1987.
Dr. James D. Briglio, Dearborn Heights, Michigan, acquired from the above in 1987.

Special notice

This Lot is transferred to Christie’s Redstone Post-Sale Facility in Long Island City after 5.00 pm on the last day of the sale. They will be available at Redstone on the following Monday. Property may be transferred at Christie’s discretion following the sale and we advise that you contact Purchaser Payments on +1 212 636 2495 to confirm your property’s location at any given time.

Lot Essay

193 A.D. is known in Roman history as the "Year of the Five Emperors." After the murder of Marcus Aurelius' son Commodus, five different claimants emerged for the title of the next emperor. Lucius Septimius Severus (reigned 193-211 A.D.) emerged victorious and became the 20th emperor of Rome. Born in Leptis Magna, North Africa, and a veteran of several campaigns along the frontier of the empire, he sought to solidify his power within Rome by linking his family and future dynasty with that of the Antonines. In 196 A.D. he had himself retroactively adopted into the Antonine family. He then had his young son, Caracalla, declared Caesar in order to ensure his succession, founding the Severan dynasty that would rule the empire for the next 30 years.

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