**Originally Listed At $600**

Ancient Near East, Southwestern Caspian Sea region, Syro-Hittite, ca. early 1st millennium BCE. A finely-detailed, cast-leaded-bronze figure of the god Baal, here depicted as tall and slender, with one arm outstretched to his side with enormous bicep muscles, and the other curled up to his head. Typical examples of Baal are shown brandishing a spear and a club, though this figure may have only been holding one weapon. The figure stands with delineated legs and male genitalia, wears a simple belt around his waist, dons Baal's distinctive conical hat and has a large face with impressed concentric circle eyes, an upturned nose, puffy lips, and tab-shaped ears. Covered in lustrous layers of pistachio-green patina, this is a wondrous example of Syro-Hittite artistry! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.875" W x 3.2" H (4.8 cm x 8.1 cm); 4.4" H (11.2 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; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s

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#137109

Losses to lower half of original legs. Small abrasions to body, arms, and head, with light softening to some finer details, and light encrustations within some recessed areas. Light earthen deposits and fabulous green patina throughout.