Only the facial features are carved in detail with an emphasis on a frontal view. The oval head rests on a massive cylindrical neck, and a slight prominence of the left cheek makes the face slightly asymmetrical. The lips are delicate and framed by shallow depressions indicating the nasolabial folds. The chin is pointed forward, and the eyes are almond-shaped.
The neck cut is too smooth for a break, and the absence of a dowel hole to fix the head on a statue or a bust raises the possibility of the piece being a later forgery.
Provenance: Qanawāt. Acquired by the Museum in April 1945.
Substance: basalt.
Dimensions (cm): H 28, W 19, D 20.7.
Text: adapted from Weber (p. 96).
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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