Statue of an Enthroned Official

 

The statue reflects the outlines of the cube out of which it was chiselled. An unbearded man sits on a folding chair devoid of back and armrests. The chair's cross legs are only visible on the sides. The man is clad in a cloak that descends to just below the knees. The feet are bare, and the toes are indicated by short incised lines. The fabric of the cloak is drawn over the left shoulder, and its folds descend vertically over the back. The tunic is short-sleeved with a curved neckline. The left forearm rests on the corresponding thigh, and the left hand is contracted to form a clenched fist. The right upper extremity is missing. The head is disproportionately large and generates a stiff impression. The eyes are wide open with thin lids and rather shallow orbital cavities. The nose is flat. The lips are abducted, and the mouth is marked by a simple horizontal groove. It is unclear if the scalp is covered by a hat or simply short hair that leaves the stylized external ears uncovered. 

Provenance: Qanawāt.

Substance: basalt. 

Dimensions: H 56 cm, W 22 cm, D 24 cm. 

Era: late first century BC to early second century CE. 

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.

Juge romain