Bust of Brahman

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HADB N° : 295
Technique : Modelling
Object Type : Figure
Material : Stucco
Site : Haḍḍa
Museum : Guimet Museum
Museum Registration Number : MG 17118
Findspot : Tapa Kalān
Number of Findspot : 68
Dimensions : 11 x 7.2 x 8 cm
Traces of Polychromy : No
Type of Restoration : No restoration

Description :

This brahman is bearded and mustached. The hair is long, and falls over ears with enlarged lobes. One of the locks is twisted and forms a small bun. The face is young, thin, with high cheekbones. The eyes are deep, the mouth half-open. He is dressed in a kind of short-sleeved tunic that seems to be cut out of leather and makes a particular gesture: the left hand is raised to the level of the torso, palm towards the sky, and the right hand is raised to the level of the face, the index finger pointed towards the mouth.

Observation :

At the time of its discovery, this brahman described as having a "Semitic type" was dubbed "the Jesus of Haḍḍa" and likened to the Christ figures in Western medieval churches.

Comparative Study :

The hand gesture is similar to that of the Alexandrian Harpocrates, the Greco-Egyptian deity.

Bibliographical References :

BARTHOUX Jules - 1930 - Les Fouilles de Haḍḍa, Figures et Figurines - Pl. 64 a et b