EMPEROR AUGUSTUS Hand-Painted Silver Pendant on Red Porphyry

This pendant features a hand-painted representation of the Roman Emperor Augustus, skillfully crafted by artist Tommaso Rossi on red porphyry. Set in solid silver, it celebrates Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, and a symbol of power and political wisdom. The deep red tone of the porphyry provides a striking contrast, emphasizing the noble features of the emperor, while the silver setting adds a touch of timeless elegance.

Gaius Octavius Thurinus, known as Emperor Augustus (63 BCE – 14 CE), was the first emperor of Rome and one of the most significant figures in the history of the Roman Empire. Rising to power after the death of Julius Caesar, Augustus ushered in the Principate, a period of stability and great expansion for Rome. Renowned for his political acumen and his role in transforming Rome from a Republic into an Empire, Augustus is remembered as a ruler who embodied just governance and political wisdom. His reign, known for the Pax Romana, stands as a symbol of leadership and reform that shaped the history of ancient Rome.

Tommaso Rossi is the talented young artist who creates these exquisite miniature portraits and mythical stories. Working on both marble and hard stone discs, he depicts historical and mythical figures from ancient Greece and Rome, using paints such as enamels, titanium acrylics and graphite. In his amazingly detailed technique, Tommaso employs either an echidna quill or a rose thorn instead of a brush to define the figures on these miniature masterpieces.
Born in Rome in 2000, Tommaso first attended art school on Via Ripetta and then, recognized for his superior talent, he entered the prestigious “Scuola dell’Arte della Medaglia”. This is an elite art school in Rome where only a small number of the finest young artists are carefully chosen for further training in the arts of engraving and plastic modeling.
For more than a century, exceptional artists have acquired additional skills through the use of ancient techniques, innovative methodologies, design and craftsmanship. Importance is also given to art history and conservation. Classical traditions are reimagined, merging Antiquity with present day culture.