拍品專文
Cf. A-K. Massner, "Zum Stilwandel im Kaiserporträt claudisher Zeit" in Die Regierungszeit des Kaisers Claudius (41-54 n. Chr.), International Symposium, Archäologischen Instituts der Universität Freiburg (Feb. 1991), Mainz, 1994, p. 166, Abb. 11 for an imago clipeata of Claudius within a beaded border with scrolling tendrils, the outer edge decorated with a laurel wreath (Musée du Louvre, Inv. MA 1657).
The head of Claudius shown with radiate crown appears to be unique. Following his murder after eating poisonous mushrooms, Claudius was deified by a decree of the Senate under Nero; it was Nero who identified himself with the sun-god and was the first to be depicted wearing the radiate crown. The worship of Claudius was adopted with enthusiasm in Britain, centred on his temple at Colchester. It was the building of this temple, dedicated to the conqueror of Britain, which ignited the revolt of the Iceni under Queen Boudicca and led to the building's destruction. After the rebellion had been quelled, Roman control extended west and north of the Fosse Way.
It is uncertain from what the piece comes; it might have been from an ala standard, similar to that shown on a tombstone of a signifer of the Ala Petriana found at Hexham, on which the radiate head of an emperor, dated to the second quarter of the 2nd Century A.D. is depicted, cf. G. Webster, The Roman Imperial Army, London, 1969, pl. XIVb and p. 148. Later it might have been removed, embedded in lead and inserted into a shrine or temple. Or it might have been made for a shrine into which had been set other busts of deified emperors. Cf. M. B. Comstock and C. C. Vermeule, Sculpture in Stone, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1976, p. 195, no. 310 for an architectural tondo with Canopic bust; see also, C. Vermeule, A Greek theme and its survival, Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, CIX, no. 6, 1965, pp. 361-396; J. M. C. Toynbee, Art in Britain under the Romans, Oxford, 1964; G. Webster, The Roman Invasion of Britain, London, 1980; P. Connolly, The Roman Army, London, 1975, p. 60; H. Madingley, Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol. 1, Augustus to Vitellius, London, 1923, p. 132, nos. 85-90, pl. 24, 4-5; and B. Levick, Claudius, London, 1990
The head of Claudius shown with radiate crown appears to be unique. Following his murder after eating poisonous mushrooms, Claudius was deified by a decree of the Senate under Nero; it was Nero who identified himself with the sun-god and was the first to be depicted wearing the radiate crown. The worship of Claudius was adopted with enthusiasm in Britain, centred on his temple at Colchester. It was the building of this temple, dedicated to the conqueror of Britain, which ignited the revolt of the Iceni under Queen Boudicca and led to the building's destruction. After the rebellion had been quelled, Roman control extended west and north of the Fosse Way.
It is uncertain from what the piece comes; it might have been from an ala standard, similar to that shown on a tombstone of a signifer of the Ala Petriana found at Hexham, on which the radiate head of an emperor, dated to the second quarter of the 2nd Century A.D. is depicted, cf. G. Webster, The Roman Imperial Army, London, 1969, pl. XIVb and p. 148. Later it might have been removed, embedded in lead and inserted into a shrine or temple. Or it might have been made for a shrine into which had been set other busts of deified emperors. Cf. M. B. Comstock and C. C. Vermeule, Sculpture in Stone, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1976, p. 195, no. 310 for an architectural tondo with Canopic bust; see also, C. Vermeule, A Greek theme and its survival, Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, CIX, no. 6, 1965, pp. 361-396; J. M. C. Toynbee, Art in Britain under the Romans, Oxford, 1964; G. Webster, The Roman Invasion of Britain, London, 1980; P. Connolly, The Roman Army, London, 1975, p. 60; H. Madingley, Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol. 1, Augustus to Vitellius, London, 1923, p. 132, nos. 85-90, pl. 24, 4-5; and B. Levick, Claudius, London, 1990