**Originally Listed At $800**

Ancient Near East, the Levant, Canaanite people, ca. 2nd millennium BCE. A wonderful cast-bronze figure of the god Baal, here depicted as tall and slender, with both arms outstretched, each hand in a fist as if it once held an implement of some kind - perhaps a weapon, as they were sacred implements that the gods are often shown bearing. Baal presents nude with a petite rod-form instrument around his waist, wears his signature conical headdress that was once topped with a petite bauble. Thick layers of lustrous green, brown, and russet patina cover the entire figure and imbue it with a lovely presentation evocative of the ancient Near East. Size: 1.7" W x 3.6" H (4.3 cm x 9.1 cm); 4.1" H (10.4 cm) on included custom stand.

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

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175382

Loss to lower legs and implement once held in each hand as shown. Coarse calcifications and encrustations, with abrasions and small nicks commensurate with age, and minor softening to some finer details. Nice figural form. Great patina and earthen deposits throughout.