Jasper statuette of a man wearing a toga

Unknown

1st century CE · Jasper · Greek and Roman Art

The toga was worn only by Roman citizens, and until A.D. 212, citizenship was restricted to the freeborn male inhabitants of Italy and a few privileged groups in the provinces. Jasper is a rare and expensive stone, so this statuette must have portrayed a prominent member of the citizen body, perhaps the emperor himself in the guise of the Princeps (First Citizen). Dowel holes indicate that the head and extremities were added, probably in another luxury material such as ivory.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st century CE

Medium

Jasper

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1917