Statue of a Gliding Victory II

 

The pose and the garment are virtually identical with their counterparts in the preceding Victory. The main difference consists in the absence of the globe in the present case, as the statue stands directly on its square pedestal. The back of Victory is roughly executed, in contrast to the carefully modelled drapery directly seen by the viewers. The fabric leaves the right breast bare, whereas the covered left breast features several folds fanning outward from the corresponding nipple. The oval-shaped head is disproportionately large. The neck is bulky and rather cylindrical in shape. The eyes are wide open, with the right canthus slanting upward. The hair is parted above the forehead into symmetrical locks bilaterally and combed backward toward the nape. 

Apart from the missing wings and right upper extremity, all worked separately; the statue is well-preserved. Remains of lead are visible in the holes prepared for the insertion of the limbs into the trunk. The upper left corner of the pedestal is chipped. The surface is covered in its entirety by a thick layer of dark, reddish-brown opalescent patina.  

Provenance: as-Suwaydāʾ. Acquired by the Museum on June 13, 1947. 

Era: second century CE. 

Substance: basalt. 

Dimensions: H 86 cm, W 33 cm, D 24 cm. 

Text: adapted from Weber (p 107). . 

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.

Victoire debout