Ancient Near East, Syro-Hittite, ca. early 1st millennium BCE. A finely-detailed, cast-bronze figure of the god Baal, here depicted as tall and thin, with his arms outstretched, and with cupped hands which held additional implements at one time. For example, Baal is depicted brandishing a spear and club on the famous stela from the Ras Sharma acropolis (now at the Louvre: AO 15775). This standing figure wears Baal's distinctive conical hat and has a large face with deeply-set eyes that may once have had inset gemstones or semi-precious stones. He stands with delineated legs atop an integral ovoid plinth, and a conical tang projects downward from the base. Custom lucite display stand included. Size: 2" W x 5.3" H (5.1 cm x 13.5 cm); 6.5" H (16.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Baal was a god worshipped across the ancient Near East, a storm god associated with the fertility of the land, whose worship is specifically noted in the Bible. Dry summers were believed to be Baal's time in the underworld; his return in the autumn brought renewing rains to the landscape. The Levant - unlike Mesopotamia and Egypt - relied upon rain for their agriculture rather than river irrigation. "Baal" was the Semitic word meaning "lord" or "master" and Baal became the divine patron of the royal houses of Canaan.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#140397

Original weapon implements missing. Slight bending to overall form, minor abrasions and nicks to legs, base, body, arms, and head, with light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits as well as great green and russet patina throughout.