A statuette of a nude boy about to step forward, advancing his left foot and turning his head slightly to the right. The head is large and the cheeks are full. The hair is short and curly. Both upper extremities are bent at the level of the elbows. The hands hold musical instruments that look like rattles, or perhaps castanets; the use of such devices, usually played by children and female dancers, was common in religious ceremonies. The head was found disconnected from the trunk and has been reattached to it since. A shimmering, dense black patina covers the surface. The gypsum pedestal is modern.
Provenance: Fīq.
Substance: bronze.
Dimensions: H 15 cm, W 6.3 cm, D 4 cm.
Era: 1st century CE.
Text: adapted from Weber (p. 70).
Collection: National Museum of Damascus (a gift from Mr. Antoine Daḥdāḥ between 1945 and 1946).
Thomas M. Weber. Sculptures from Roman Syria in the Syrian National Museum of Damascus. Vol I, from Cities and Villages in Central and Southern Syria. Wernersche Verlagsgesellschaft. Worms. 2006.
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