The very decorative plaster portrait bust of the emperor Julius Caesar, in his prime years, shown without state dress, facing slightly to sinister on a socle base, and surviving from the last quarter of the nineteenth century and from the Aynhoe Park estate, England.
Aynhoe Park, Oxfordshire, England.
Julius Caesar needs no introduction, the statesman and general (100-44 B.C.) expanded the Roman Republic through a series of battles across Europe before declaring himself dictator for life. He himself achieved little until he was in his late thirties which is about his age depicted in this particular portrait bust. His representation seems to have evolved in the course of the centuries, according to the various interpretations of successive artists, to the extent that no one really know for sure what he really looked in person. He died famously on the steps of the Senate at the hands of political rivals.
Aynhoe Park was originally built in 1615 and recently was one of the 21st century’s most hedonistic party wonderlands. While Charles I and Sir Winston Churchill were once visitors to Aynhoe, during the Perkins tenure guests have included royalty, high society and A-list celebrities. The contents were recently sold off as the owners have started a new project in Dorset.
A classic bust of a man of striking authority and charisma and with a super provenance.
The bust has a very decorative appearance with a repaired crack running through the base upward as photographed. There is some other chipping and discolouration as per the photographs. There doesn’t appear to be any markings, and he proves stable and solid.
By appointment only.
