Unpretentious at first glance, this head may have belonged to a bas-relief of considerable size and quality, as suggested by the oblique fracture at its rear. The head is oval and elongated in shape, displaying features betraying black African origin. The nose, or what's left of it, is rather flat. The malar bones are prominent. The hair is short and curly. The ears are large, and the pinnae are exposed. The identity of the object crowning the cranial vault is unclear. The person thus portrayed is perhaps a young woman.
Apart from the damage to the nose, the facial outlines are well preserved. The sculpture is covered by an opalescent transparent patina, reddish-brown to mauve. The dark patch under the right ear derives from the adhesive of a modern label.
Provenance: as-Suwaydāʾ. Acquired by the Museum on June 13, 1947.
Era: late first century CE.
Substance: grey basalt.
Dimensions: H 19.5 cm, W 11.8, D 12.8 cm.
Text: adapted from Weber (p 109). .
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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