Rare Bronze Bust of Emperor Clodius Albinus

Culture: Roman

Period: 193-197 A.D.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 7.1 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 3318

Provenance: French private collection end of 19th century, suggested by the old inventory number as well as the red marble base.

Condition: Intact

Description: Extremely rare bronze bust of Clodius Albinus with paludamentum, the cape which is fastened by a rosette fibula on the right shoulder. Since Augustus the paludamentum was reserved for emperors only, therefore the present bust can be exactly dated between the years 193 to 197 A.D., when Clodius Albinus accepted the title Caesar and later became usurper against Septimius Severus. Albinus was defeated by Severus on 19 February 197 at Lugdunum, today Lyon, and during this battle, which is considered as one of the largest in Roman history, he lost his life. Prior to being proclaimed by his legions as emperor Albinus, born around 148 in Hadrumetum (today Sousse, Tunisia), was a successful commander in Lower Germania and Britannia. Portraits of Clodius Albinus are extremely rare because damnatio memoriae was declared after his death. The depiction of the present bust with thick, curly hair, broad shoulders and thick nasolabial folds, match with the few known portraits like the marble bust in the Capitoline Museums in Rome. With an old inventory number on the back. Mounted.