A 1,800-year-old Roman bust has sold for nearly $1 million at an auction organized by the Denver Art Museum in the US.
The object depicting a Roman citizen was purchased by an English art dealer for approximately $930,000. The merchant’s next step will probably be to sell the valuable artifact for a profit.
The sculpture depicts a senator or member of the nobilitas who led a military campaign in the 2nd century CE. The amount obtained by the museum from the sale of the object will be allocated to the purchase of new works of art.
The institution’s practice of selling works of art is heavily criticized among archaeologists and historians. Many monuments that could be admired by everyone will now probably be placed in the private residences of art enthusiasts.
