Roman imperial torso sells for $34.3 million at Sotheby’s

A marble torso of a Roman emperor from the Julio-Claudian dynasty has set a new world record for an ancient Roman antiquity. The sculpture, dating to the first half of the 1st century AD, was sold by Sotheby’s in New York for $34.3 million during the inaugural evening of the ‘Magnum Opus’ auction.

The sale followed a 14-minute bidding war involving five bidders, far exceeding the initial estimate of $8 million to $12 million. The piece is noted for its exceptional state of preservation and historical significance, with documented provenance dating back to 1926. Experts noted its stylistic similarities to works held in the Vatican Museums and the Archaeological Museum of Zagreb.

The ‘Magnum Opus’ auction event totaled $63 million in sales, surpassing the maximum estimate of $47.6 million. Other notable results included a Canaletto painting of Venice, which sold for $6.2 million.