This fragment was part of the keystone of the arched entrance to the theatron of Baʿl Šamīn's sanctuary. It originally bore a bust in high relief with the chest draped with a garment held at the shoulders by two round buckles. Butler identified the bust as that of Baʿl Šamīn, Lord of Heaven.
The beardless head is frontally arranged. The cranium is topped by a radial crown. The delicately carved face is oval in shape. The widely opened eyes are framed by sharp lids. The mouth is closed, and the nasolabial folds are clearly demarcated. The curly hair is arranged in horizontal rows.
Serious damage has occurred since the discovery of this piece by Butler. The entire lower part of the bust and the moulding behind the neck are lost. The broken rays of the crown are ancient, but the disfiguration of the nose is recent. The piece is coated with a thin, dark patina.
Provenance: Sīʿ. Discovered by the Princeton Archeological Expedition among the debris at the entrance to the theatron of Baʿl Šamīn's temple, the piece was acquired by the Ministry of Education (Dār al-Maʿārif) in 1919 to be transferred to the Museum in 1952.
Substance: basalt.
Dimensions: H 27.3 cm, W 48.6 cm, d 22 cm.
Era: late first century BC.
Text: adapted from Weber (p. 112).
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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