Hadrian bust sculpture, Roman Emperor, AD 117-118.

Reduced reproduction from Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli, Lazio, Italy.

This portrait bust was found at the Villa Adriana, the Roman emperor Hadrian’s magnificent country residence near Tivoli, outside Rome.

In ancient Rome, the dedication of public statues was governed by rules concerning location, material and iconography. This was even more important when it concerned imperial images. Official portraits were an extremely important way for Roman emperors to reach out to their subjects and their public image was defined by them.

There are hundreds of surviving imperial statues, which show us that there were only three ways in which the emperor could officially be represented: in the battle dress of a general; in a toga, the Roman state civilian costume; or nude, likened to a god. These formats powerfully and effectively evoked the emperor’s role as commander-in-chief, magistrate or priest, and finally as the ultimate embodiment of divine providence.

We know from ancient literary sources that Hadrian was particularly keen to project a strong military image and in this bust we see Hadrian presented as the commander-in-chief.

The original Hadrian bust is now housed in the British museum.

The stone socle of this bust can have veinings of different color and size which can alter the final appearance of the bust.


Aged Copper Sculptures

Our sculptures are crafted using a unique and proprietary hot-casting process. Made from high-quality copper-zinc alloy, each piece features a stunning green patina with an aged finish, evoking the timeless appeal of aged copper alloys and bronzes. Cast at high temperatures (>1700°F / 900°C), these sculptures are meticulously hand-finished to ensure exceptional detail and quality. Reflecting a tradition of excellence and artistry, each piece offers a unique and valuable addition with a vintage look that enhances both modern spaces and classic interiors.

Please note there can be slight differences between the color of the item you receive and the website due to the handmade nature of the product.

Hot-cast copper-zinc alloy
Aged green patina finish
Timeless artistic appeal
Cast at high temperatures (>1700°F / 900°C)
Portoro marble socle
Ideal gift for Rome enthusiastsHeight: 11 cm / 4.3"
Width: 7 cm / 2.7"
Depth: 5 cm / 2"
Base: 4 cm x 4 cm / 1.6" x 1.6"
Weight: 1 kg / 2.2 lbsItaly1SCRO3910023IN STOCK - Shipping within 7 days11 cm / 4.3"