The bust, delicately modelled, depicts a man with idealized facial features. The trimmed beard and locks of hair falling vertically onto the forehead suggest a representation of Sarapis. The god wears a cloak, the drapery of which runs perpendicularly over his left shoulder, and the folds of the fabric are also seen on the back.
The hair is thick and curly, framing a majestic face and falling backward to cover the nape, terminating in scrolled-up tufts. A thick mustache seems to cover the upper lip. The hollowed eyes are filled with a contrasting material, perhaps a mixture of white glass paste with bitumen.
The head, neck, and part of the upper chest are preserved in the shape of a bust. The nose, left eyebrow, and right chin are damaged.
Provenance: ʾUmm al-Ǧimāl. Acquired by the Museum in 1946.
Era: 2nd - 3rd century CE.
Substance: schist.
Dimensions in cm: H 16.5 (total), 9.6 cm (head), W 12.3, D 6 (bust), and 7.4 (head).
Text: adapted from Weber (p. 82).
Collection: the 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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