A high relief bust of a bearded man turning his head to his left and looking upwards. He is dressed in animal skin and wears a wreath of grapes and vine leaves. The eyes were originally encrusted with silver. The beard is thick and curly.
The piece is hollow cast and was originally applied with lead solder to serve as the lower end of the pillow support of a luxurious bed. It is covered with a shiny brownish to black patina and is otherwise in good condition.
Provenance: Tall al-ʾAšʿarī.
Era: 3rd century CE (?).
Substance: bronze.
Diameter: 4.8 cm.
Text: (and illustrations) adapted from Weber (p. 53).
Collection: the National Museum of Damascus. Acquired by the Syrian Antiquities in 1929.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment