Page 178 - The Art & Architecture of the Ancient Orient_Neat

levant in the second millennium b.c.

\\x Figure 68. Development of gold bowl, from Ras Shamra

have served as such symbols. It is, of course, impossible to measure the length to which
the fancy of a provincial ruler may go; in any case his orders were in this case executed
by a well-trained craftsman. The drawing of the Hon closely resembles that on a gold
bowl from Ras Shamra (Figure 68); here dots or hatchings accompany the outline of the
body and on the stele a separate continuous line. The articulation of the forelegs re­
sembles that of the jumping Hon on the right of figure 68; so do the incisions marking
the ribs and the styhzation of the mane.59 It seems certain, therefore, that the stele was
carved in the Levant, perhaps even in north Syria. It may have been included among the
loot brought back to Beisan from a raid. Such a hypothesis, based on the resemblances in
design with die Ras Shamra bowl, is also attractive, because no stonework of approxi­
mately the same quahty has been found in Palestine.
We have already mentioned a headless stone statue found at Ras Shamra (p. 145
above). Plastic works in the round were, however, usually cast in bronze at diis time;
and among these that of plate 142 stands out. It is completely modelled in the round
(which is rarely done in Syria) and seated on a three-legged stool, but this probably
served to mount the whole on a more elaborate throne of other materials. The feet were
fixed with dowels to a footstool. The Syrian dress with the thick rolled edge is shown
here to consist of a narrow shawl with fringed border. This hangs across the knees, passes
over and behind the shoulders, and is tied round die waist, leaving the chest bare. The
M 149