The golden bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, discovered in 1939 in Avenches, Switzerland, is a rare and exceptional artifact of the Roman era.
Crafted from a single sheet of gold using the repoussé technique, this 13-inch, 3.5-pound bust depicts the emperor with remarkable detail, including his thick hair, neat beard, and a lorica plumata adorned with a gorgoneion. Found hidden beneath a temple courtyard in the ancient city of Aventicum, the bust likely served as a tribute to Marcus Aurelius during his reign (161–180 AD).
As the largest surviving gold bust of a Roman emperor, it symbolizes the power and prestige of the Roman Empire.
Due to its immense value and rarity, the original is securely kept in a vault, while a replica is displayed at the Roman Museum of Avenches. It has recently been exhibited at the Getty Museum in the U.S., marking a historic first for this unparalleled masterpiece of Roman craftsmanship.
