Julio-Claudian Princess

This marble bust portrays an elite Roman woman styled in the manner of Julio-Claudian princesses during Caligula’s reign (37–41). Her hair is centrally parted into two bands of twisted layers, drawn to a large braided bun at the nape and framed by calamistrated ringlets. Holes beneath the knotted headband indicate a missing diadem, while pierced earlobes once held earrings. Such coiffure, closely following imperial fashion, helped identify the wearer with the ruling family.