Head of Faustina the Younger
Sculpture, portrait bust fragment • Roman Imperial workshop
Style & Movement
Roman Imperial (Antonine Period)
Medium & Technique
White marble; carved using chisels and drills, with smoothed surface finish on the face
Creation Period
circa 147–148 AD
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 35-40 cm in height; portrait fragment format
Subject Description
A portrait of Annia Galeria Faustina Minor, daughter of Antoninus Pius and wife of Marcus Aurelius. The portrait emphasizes her heavy-lidded eyes, straight nose, and distinctive hairstyle typical of the 'Second Type' of her iconographic succession, featuring a middle part and waves pulled back to a bun.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; significant fragmenting with the back and top of the head missing
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $300,000 (Valuation for a high-quality imperial fragment if on the private market)
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $200,000
Provenance History
Excavated in Rome; currently held in the collection of the Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme.
Art Historical Significance
A key example of Antonine female portraiture, illustrating the transition from the classicism of the Hadrianic era to the more expressive, textured style of the late 2nd century. Faustina the Younger's portraits were widely disseminated to promote the stability of the imperial dynasty.
Notable Features
The drilling in the pupils is characteristic of the mid-2nd century shift toward psychological realism in Roman sculpture.
Condition Issues
Loss of the cranium and occipital sections; erosion to the tip of the nose; surface pitting and minor calcification consistent with burial; sheared neck base.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled museum environment; avoid direct handling to prevent oil transfer; secure mount to prevent vibration damage.
Collector Notes
Palazzo Massimo Rome