Shield Portrait of Emperor Augustus

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Shield Portrait of Emperor Augustus

Place of OriginAncient Rome

Dateabout 15-30 CE

DimensionsH: 6 1/2 in.; W: 6 1/2 in.; D: 2 1/2; Diam: 6 1/2 in.;
weight: 7.8 oz. (220 g)

Mediumgilded silver

ClassificationMetalwork

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, by exchange

Object number

2007.11

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

DescriptionThe medallion was worked in repoussé from both sides, framed by a silver ring with 16 silver rivets. The object consists of two parts. First, a central disk of silver fabricated in repoussé with a high relief portrait bust of a man wearing armor, supported by an acanthus calyx, surrounded by low relief images of five animals and landscape elements, from left to right, a crouching lion facing two dogs, and a single dog facing a boar; gilded. Second, a circular frame of thicker silver with sixteen silver rivets, presumably used to attach the roundel to a backing of a different material. The medallion was worked in repoussé from both sides, framed by a silver ring with 16 silver rivets.

Label TextMuch more than a simple picture, this portrait represents an example of Roman propaganda. By utilizing the likeness of Emperor Augustus (63 BCE–14 CE, ruled 27 BCE–14 CE), the first Roman Emperor and heir of Julius Caesar, the Roman government was able to unify an empire that was flung across seas and mountains and engulfed diverse peoples. The wreath atop his head and the armor he sports symbolize the imperium (military power) of Rome. Portraits like this—and those on coins, statues, and other objects—helped to connect the seemingly invulnerable empire under a name that meant power and majesty: Rome.Published ReferencesToledo Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art Masterworks, Toledo, 2009, p. 82, repr. (col.).

Carter, Martha, Arts of the Hellenized East: Precious Metalwork and Gems of the Pre-Islamic Era, London, Thames & Hudson, 2015, pp. 138, 149, fig. 2.14.

Comparative ReferencesSee also P. Jacobsthal & A.H.M. Jones, "A Silver Find from South-west Asia Minor," Journal of Roman Studies 30 (1940) 16-31.

See also Cornelius C. Vermeule III, "A Greek Theme and its Survivals: The Ruler's Shield (Tondo Image) in Tomb and Temple," Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, vol. 109, no. 6 (December 1965) 361-397.

See also Rudolf Winkes, Clipeata Imago: Studien zu einer römischen Bildnisform (Bonn: Rudolf Habelt Verlag, 1969).

See also Lino Rossi, transl. by J.M.C. Toynbee, Trajan's Column and the Dacian Wars (London and New York: Thames and Hudson, 1971).

See also H. Russell Robinson, The Armour of Imperial Rome (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975).

See also Romans & Barbarians, ed. Sandra K. Morgan, exhibition catalogue, 17 December 1976 - 27 February 1977 (Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1976).

See also P. La Baume, "Signumscheibe und Merkurrelief von Niederbieber, " Bonner Jahrbücher, vol. 177 (1977) 565-568.

See also Die Bildnisse des Augustus: Herrscherbild und Politik im kaiserelichen Rom, ed. Klaus Vierneisel and Paul Zankeer, exhibition catalogue, Glyptothek und Museum für Abgüsse Klassischer Bildwerke (Munich: Glyuptothek 1979).

See also H. G. Horn, "Cohors VII Raetorum equitata. Signumscheibe aus Niederbieber," Das Rheinische Landesmuseum Bonn: Berichst aus der Arbeit des Museums (1982) 52-55.

See also M. Brouwer, "Römische Phalerae und anderer Lederbeschlag aus dem Rhein," Oudheidkundige Mededelingen, vol. 63 (1982) 145-187

See also Beryl Barr-Sharrar, The Hellenistic and Early Imperial Decorative Bust (Mainz: Verlag Philipp von Zabern, 1987).

See also R.R.R. Smith, "The Imperial Reliefs from the Sebasteion at Aphrodisias," Journal of Roman Studies vol. 77 (1987) 88-138.

See also Guy MacLean Rogers, The Sacred Identity of Ephesos: Foundation Myths of a Roman City (New York: Routledge, 1991).

See also Lucia Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, L'Argento dei Romani: Vasellame da Tavola e d'Apparato (Rome: "L'Erma" di Bretschneider, 1991).

See also Diana E. E. Kleiner, Roman Sculpture (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1992).

See also Ancient Gold: The Wealth of the Thracians; Treasures from the Republic of Bulgaria, ed. I. Marazov, exhibition catalogue (Washington, D.C.: The Trust for Museum Exhibitions, 1997).

See also Argenti a Pompei, ed. Pietro Giovanni Guzzo, exhibition catalogue, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, 2 April - 11 September 2006 (Milan: Electra, 2006).

See also R.R.R. Smith, Roman Portrait Statuary from Aphrodisias (Mainz am Rhein: Verlag Philipp von Zabern, 2006).