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Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze
Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze
Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze
Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze
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Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze

  • This extraordinary Italian bronze depicts the legendary Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
  • It is modeled after the ancient equestrian statue now held in the Capitoline Museum in Rome
  • A stunning work in bronze, this sculpture deftly captures the emperor’s air of power
  • The level of detail in this piece suggests craftsmanship by a master sculptor
  • Get complete item description here
$28,500
Item No. 31-9171

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Description
A rare Italian bronze from the Baroque age, this extraordinary equestrian statue depicts the famed Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius—one of the most respected emperors in Roman history. This masterfully executed sculpture depicts the legendary figure with a commanding grandeur and sophistication that is reminiscent of the best works from its era. Exhibiting a remarkable level of detail, the sculpture deftly captures the emperor's air of power and presents an impressive study in both anatomy and. . .
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A rare Italian bronze from the Baroque age, this extraordinary equestrian statue depicts the famed Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius—one of the most respected emperors in Roman history. This masterfully executed sculpture depicts the legendary figure with a commanding grandeur and sophistication that is reminiscent of the best works from its era. Exhibiting a remarkable level of detail, the sculpture deftly captures the emperor's air of power and presents an impressive study in both anatomy and expression.

The impactful work is modeled after the monumental ancient equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius currently held in the Capitoline Museum in Rome. Originally erected circa 175 CE in either the Roman Forum or the Piazza Colonna, today it is the only intact bronze statue of a pre-Christian Roman emperor to have survived the ages. The present work remains true to the over-life-sized original, with the emperor exuding a sense of dignity while atop his steed, presumably overseeing a public ceremony. The horse itself is a magnificent example of equine anatomy and dynamism. Captured in motion, the horse and its venerable rider are compelling from every angle.

Few pre-19th century bronze versions of the ancient masterpiece are known. Examples are currently held in the Bargello National Art Museum in Florence and the National Trust's Saltram House in Devon. The Saltram House bronze, attributed to Giovanni Zoffoli (c. 1745-1805) and Giacomo Zoffoli (c. 1731-1785), is nearly identical to the present sculpture, though it stands on a slightly different base. The statue is also depicted on the reverse of the 0.50 euro coin, and a true-to-size replica can be found on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. 

This bronze masterfully captures the essence of its imperial subject with a remarkable sense of strength and realism. Truly bringing the ancient world to life, the figure is a rare treasure of Italian artistry.

Circa 1780

26" high x 10" wide x 13" deep
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Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze
Period: 1700-1815
Origin: Italy
Type: Sculpture
Style: Old Masters
Depth: 10.0 in. (25.4 cm)
Width: 13.0 in. (33.02 cm)
Height: 26.0 in. (66.04 cm)
Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Bronze
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Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

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M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in the field, our specialisms range from Old Master pictures to Modern Art masterpieces. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Maritime & Sporting, British Neoclassical and American Illustration.

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For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

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Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the. . .

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

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