Altar Honoring Ancestors
A four-faced altar with a molded base and top. It is crowned with a flat bowl framed by leaf-shaped wind protectors. Each of the four sides displays a frontal representation in high relief of a male bust. The facial features are quite distinct despite the stylized workmanship.
A. A bearded man with curly hair wearing an oriental dress and crowned by a laurel wreath with a central medallion. It is unclear if the subject is human (king) or divine.
B. An unbearded youth in an oriental costume. The hair is arranged in symmetrical corkscrew-shaped locks, and a flat head cover is seen on top of the cranial vault. This may be a representation of some oriental ruler, such as Aretas IV.
C. Alexander the Great is clearly discernible by his youthful, unbearded, and somewhat bulky face. The neck circumference is wide, emphasizing the virility of the monarch. The eyes are almond-shaped and the manelike hair, framing the face, is centrally parted to form the characteristic anastole. The garment consists of a military cloak (chlamys) fixed on the right shoulder by a round fibula.
D. Another unbearded man of Roman appearance, wearing a tunic with two superimposed V-shaped folds in the middle. The hair is combed vertically over a narrow forehead, recalling the style of Emperor Trajan.
The top molding carries the following Greek inscription of one line on two of its four faces:
ΣΑΔΑΡΕΙΟΣ ΒΑΣΣΟΥ
"Sadareios, son of Vassos"
Provenance: aḍ-Ḍumayr.
Substance: basalt. The sculpture is in excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 63 cm, W 29.2 cm, D 30 cm.
Era: first to third century CE.
Text: adapted from Weber (p.32).
Color Photo: ʿĀbid īsā.
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.
ʿĀbid īsā. A Guide to the National Museum of Damascus 2006.
No comments:
Post a Comment