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Sculpture Busts

Bust sculptures refer to figurative sculptures that portray the upper portion of the human figure: head, neck, shoulders, and part of the chest. Ancient Romans embraced and evolved this art form, adapting it to various points in their cultural history.

The development of Roman portraiture, including bust sculptures, was tied closely to the development of Roman society and government. In its early uses, portraiture was closely associated with funerary settings. In this context, the upper classes would often display portrait masks to memorialize their distinguished ancestry, thereby celebrating a family history of public service while honoring their family.

In the time of the Roman Republic, public sculpture became more popular. It was common for honorific statues of political or military officials to be erected in celebration of their achievements. During the reign of Augustus (27 B.C.-14 A.D.), the imperial family and their associates dominated public sculpture with official bust statues carefully designed in order to project specific ideas about Augustus and his family.


Quick Facts

  • Sculptural portrait heads from classical antiquities are sometimes displayed as busts, but these are actually often fragments from full-body statues
  • In the instance of "bad" emperors, imperial portraits were sometimes recycled or destroyed
  • The wax portrait masks of deceased ancestors that ancient Romans displayed in their homes are referred to as "imagines"

Recommended Items at Auction

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Esteva y Cia, Spagna 1900 ca
Dec 23, 5:00 PM GMT
Esteva y Cia, Spagna 1900 ca
by GBP DP House
Est: £50- £2,000
£501 Bid
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
Dec 23, 5:00 PM GMT
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
by GBP DP House
Est: £300- £400
£3000 Bids
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
Dec 23, 5:00 PM GMT
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
by GBP DP House
Est: £700- £1,000
£7000 Bids
18th Century European Wood Shoulder Head Lady. 24 in. (61 cm.)
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
18th Century European Wood Shoulder Head Lady. 24 in. (61 cm.)
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
French Papier Mache shoulder head lady "Pauline". 26 in. (66 cm.)
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
French Papier Mache shoulder head lady "Pauline". 26 in. (66 cm.)
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
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18th Century European Wood Shoulder Head Lady. 24 in. (61 cm.)
Apr 28, 7:45 PM CEST
18th Century European Wood Shoulder Head Lady. 24 in. (61 cm.)
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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French Papier Mache shoulder head lady "Pauline". 26 in. (66 cm.)
Apr 28, 7:45 PM CEST
French Papier Mache shoulder head lady "Pauline". 26 in. (66 cm.)
by NORMANDY AUCTION
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Antique postman bust in welded iron with wooden base, 20th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Antique postman bust in welded iron with wooden base, 20th century
by DP Test House
Est: £200- £400
£1000 Bids
Bust of a girl violinist on a column, France, 19th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Bust of a girl violinist on a column, France, 19th century
by DP Test House
Est: £1,000- £4,000
£5000 Bids
Bust of Apollo on Corinthian column, Italy, 20th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Bust of Apollo on Corinthian column, Italy, 20th century
by DP Test House
Est: £2,500- £5,000
£1,0000 Bids
Female bust in carved marble, Italy, 18th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Female bust in carved marble, Italy, 18th century
by DP Test House
Est: £3,000- £4,000
£1,0000 Bids
Bust of 'Augustus Imperatoris' in Carrara marble, Italy, 20th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Bust of 'Augustus Imperatoris' in Carrara marble, Italy, 20th century
by DP Test House
Est: £9,000- £14,000
£5,0000 Bids
20th century Italian composite marble bust of Clytie H. 32.5cm perfect condition
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
20th century Italian composite marble bust of Clytie H. 32.5cm perfect condition
by DP Test House
Est: £1,200- £1,500
£9000 Bids
Bronze bust of a lady, Maite Fruit, 20th century
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Bronze bust of a lady, Maite Fruit, 20th century
by DP Test House
Est: £700- £900
£4000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Sculpture Busts


NORMANDY AUCTION

NORMANDY AUCTION

Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes