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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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SEBASTIAN MIRANDA "Bust of Juan Belmonte"
Mar 01, 8:45 AM EST
SEBASTIAN MIRANDA "Bust of Juan Belmonte"
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥225- ¥300
¥1501 Bid
MARIANO BENLLIURE "Bust of Goya"
Mar 01, 8:45 AM EST
MARIANO BENLLIURE "Bust of Goya"
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥1,350- ¥1,800
¥9000 Bids
JUAN CLARÁ AYATS "Girl's bust"
Mar 01, 8:45 AM EST
JUAN CLARÁ AYATS "Girl's bust"
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥1,050- ¥1,400
¥7000 Bids
MAURICE MAIGNAN "Female Bust"
Mar 01, 8:45 AM EST
MAURICE MAIGNAN "Female Bust"
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥375- ¥500
¥2250 Bids
Esteva y Cia, Spagna 1900 ca
Nov 27, 2:30 PM EST
Esteva y Cia, Spagna 1900 ca
by dp lawsons
Est: $1,500- $2,000
$1,0000 Bids
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
Nov 27, 2:30 PM EST
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
by dp lawsons
Est: $300- $400
$3000 Bids
A cast metal bust of a girl (H:25cm)
Nov 08, 1:00 PM AEDT
A cast metal bust of a girl (H:25cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD150 Bids
A carved timber cultural bust (H:32.5cm)
Nov 08, 1:00 PM AEDT
A carved timber cultural bust (H:32.5cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD150 Bids
A composite bust of Hippocrates (H:21cm) together with concrete bust of boy (H:20cm)
Nov 08, 1:00 PM AEDT
A composite bust of Hippocrates (H:21cm) together with concrete bust of boy (H:20cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD150 Bids
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
Nov 27, 2:30 PM EST
Goldscheider, Austria 1920 ca
by dp lawsons
Est: $700- $1,000
$7000 Bids
Vintage terracotta bust of an old man in a cap
Nov 08, 2:00 PM AEDT
Vintage terracotta bust of an old man in a cap
by Lawsons
Est: AUD30- AUD50
AUD150 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Sculpture Busts


Lawsons

Lawsons

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists