The Roman marble bust of the Emperor Hadrian that sold for €900,000 (£775,860) at Tessier Sarrou & Associés.
The bearded portrait bust, shown here, stands 23in (59cm) high and its Imperial status is indicated by a crown of laurel centred by a medallion. It was dated on a stylistic basis to the first half of the 2nd century AD, favouring an attribution to Hadrian, who ruled from 117-138AD.
The carving had a provenance to the collection of the Baronne Yvonne Clément de Givry (née Grémaud), was acquired in 1947 and had passed down by descent until its appearance in this 235-lot, mixed-discipline auction of paintings, furniture and works of art on April 30.
Entered with an estimate of €150,000-200,000, it was pursued to five times that level to sell for €900,000 (£775,860).
The buyer's premium was 20%.
