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Ivory portrait head of the emperor Augustus

ca. 27 BCE–14 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 166
In addition to life-sized statues in bronze and marble, small-scale portraits of Augustus were disseminated on coins, gems, glass medallions, and statuettes in various media. This head belongs to one such statuette, carved during the emperor’s lifetime. Another precious, small-scale portrait head, which is made of faience, is displayed in the Museum's Egyptian galleries.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ivory portrait head of the emperor Augustus
  • Period: Early Imperial, Augustan
  • Date: ca. 27 BCE–14 CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: H. 1 9/16 in. (4 cm)
  • Classifications: Miscellaneous-Bone, Ivory
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1923
  • Object Number: 23.160.78
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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