This head of a royal oriental (Nabatean?) ancestor represents an unbearded youth with copious hair consisting of rows of corkscrew strands, covering the temples and falling onto the shoulders. The nose is long and aquiline with a shallow bump above the nasal bridge seen in the lateral view. The eyes are almond-shaped. The combination of the raised eyebrows and shape of the lips conveys an expression of sadness. A wreath of laurel leaves with a round central medallion crowns the cranium. A thick torque surrounds the neck.
Provenance: al-Ġūṭā.
Era: 1st century CE.
Substance: basalt.
Dimensions: H 30 cm, W 24 cm, D 17,2 cm.
Reference: Weber (p. 34-35).
Collection: National Museum of Damascus.
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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