ANCIENT JEWELLERY & SEAL RINGS HAMMER AUCTION | Apr 21, 2026
Lot 398
A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD

Lot 398 A MINIATURE BRONZE HEAD OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN, 117-138 AD 2ND CENTURY AD

Reference: ART600796

An exceptionally fine head of the emperor Hadrian almost certainly made to be kept by an important official. After Augustus, there are more portraits known of Hadrian than any other emperor. This shows his popularity but also perhaps his encouraging the cult of his personality and the emperor. The head would have been part of a statue or a bust with could have been carried with the owner.
The style of the portrait suggest a period after about 125 AD judging by the maturity of the features.
A highly important bronze sculpture meriting further study.
Height: 7 cm.
Width: 5.4 cm.
Depth: 6.3 cm.

PROVENANCE
Private collection, Germany before 1990.

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