Marble torso of Roman emperor fetches record $34.3 million
A first-century marble torso of a Roman emperor sold at a Sotheby's auction for a record 34.3 million dollars. The sculpture, which likely depicts one of the early emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, far exceeded its initial estimate of 12 million dollars.
A marble torso representing a Roman emperor from the Julio-Claudian dynasty has been sold at Sotheby's for a record-breaking 34.3 million dollars. The auction house had initially estimated that the first-century artifact would fetch between 8 and 12 million dollars, but the final price far exceeded expectations. The 110-centimeter-tall sculpture is believed to depict Augustus, Tiberius, or Claudius and likely once stood in a temple in the Roman province of Dalmatia, which is modern-day Croatia. Experts praise the quality of the sculpture and its imposing size, noting that it was designed to project the power and supremacy of Rome 2,000 years ago. After being discovered in the nineteenth century, the piece spent recent years being exhibited across various museums in the United States. This sale officially sets a new world record for the price paid for a classical sculpture at auction.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
