Portrait Bust of a Man, probably the emperor Balbinus (reigned 238 AD)
3rd century CE
Description
Small portrait bust of a man, probably the emperor Balbinus, who reigned in 238 CE. Approximately 1/3 life-sized. The man is depicted with closely cropped coiffeur and beard, which conforms closely to the features of the emperor Balbinus as depicted on coinage of the period. The squarish head looks straight on. His moustache and chin are more intricately carved than the hair on his head. He has a small mouth, rough hears, thick lips, and a wrinkled forehead. A mantle is draped around his shoulders. Borromeo's dissertation argues that it is a private portrait. Dahmen's dissertation compares the bust's features to those on tetrarch monuments, leading to a later date of 300 CE. Condition: fragmentary and reassembled from three pieces (head reattached to neck, front of throat rebuilt), right earlobe missing. Once inlaid eyes now have traces of encrustation or adhesive in their sockets. Left shoulder missing.
Dimensions
13.2 x 9.5 cm (5 3/16 x 3 3/4 in.)
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