ِA Boy and A Bird (H̱isfīne)

 

A statuette of a nude boy embracing a big bird with a long neck, likely a duck or a swan, favorite children's pets in ancient Greece and Rome. The boy's head is disproportionately large; the chubby-cheeked face is turning to the left. The hair is short. The youth is depicted in a cross-legged position sitting on a low cylindrical base. 

A vertical crack is seen on the base and right ankle. The boy's forehead and eyes are damaged. 

Provenance: H̱isfīne. acquired by the Museum in 1943. 

Substance: ivory. 

Era: 1st- 2nd century CE. 
Dimensions: H 7.2 cm, W 3.4 cm. 
Text: adapted from Weber (p. 68). 
Collection of the 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.