{"id":35418,"date":"2025-07-26T23:32:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T23:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/virtual-museum-syria.org\/damascus\/?p=35418"},"modified":"2025-09-18T18:19:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T18:19:07","slug":"double-funerary-bust-of-belsur-and-moqimu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/virtual-museum-syria.org\/damascus\/double-funerary-bust-of-belsur-and-moqimu\/","title":{"rendered":"Double Funerary Bust of B\u0113ls\u016br and Moq\u012bm\u016b"},"content":{"rendered":"

Double Funerary Bust of B\u0113ls\u016br and Moq\u012bm\u016b<\/h2><\/div>
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\"Limestone<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Description<\/h3><\/div>
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This finely carved limestone relief shows the busts of two young Palmyrene brothers, Baalshur<\/strong> and Mqimo<\/strong>, sons of \u1e24eira son of Akladi<\/strong>. It was originally from Palmyra but was recovered in the town of al-Qaryatayn<\/strong>, in the Homs region, where the Akladi family was well known.<\/p>\n

The piece follows the Palmyrene funerary tradition of sealing family tomb niches with sculpted reliefs. Baalshur (left), aged 19, is shown in a formal pose with his right hand across his chest, gripping the edge of his garment\u2014a gesture of dignity or reverence. He wears a traditional Palmyrene cloak and tunic, with intricate folds, and a laurel wreath with a central rosette. His face is youthful and clean-shaven, and he holds a scroll inscribed with the Palmyrene-Aramaic word \u1e25bl<\/strong> (“Alas!”), a typical funerary expression.<\/p>\n

Mqimo (right), aged 16, is depicted beside his brother with his right arm gently placed behind Baalshur\u2019s shoulder\u2014a rare affectionate gesture in Palmyrene sculpture, suggesting comfort and familial closeness. He wears similar clothing and also holds a scroll and ring.<\/p>\n

Behind them is a delicately carved dorsalium<\/strong> (curtain backdrop), suspended by three six-petaled rosettes. From the central rosette emerges a laurel garland and a small incised amphora<\/strong>, symbols of mourning.<\/p>\n

Stylistically, the relief dates to the mid-2nd century CE<\/strong>, closely comparable to pieces in the Louvre and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. It is significant both artistically and anthropologically, documenting the Akladi family\u2014whose other members’ busts are held in major international collections, likely from the same tomb group.<\/p>\n

Aramaic text, reading and translation;<\/strong><\/p>\n

**On the right:**<\/p>\n

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**BL\u0160 WR:** B\u0113ls\u016br,<\/h3>\n

**BR H\u0323YR’:** son of Hair\u0113,<\/h3>\n

** \u02be KL\u0110Y:** (son of) Akk\u0101ledi,<\/h3>\n

** H\u0323BL:** alas!<\/h3>\n

** H\u0323Y’:** lived<\/h3>\n

** \u0160NYN 19:** 19 years<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

**On the left:**<\/h3>\n
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**MQYMW:** Moq\u012bm\u016b,<\/h3>\n

**BR H\u0323YR’:** son of Hair\u0113,<\/h3>\n

** \u02beKL\u0110Y:** (son of) Akk\u0101ledi,<\/h3>\n

** H\u0323BL:** alas!<\/h3>\n

** H\u0323Y’:** lived<\/h3>\n

** \u0160NYN 16:** 16 years.<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>
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    Excavated from: Originally from Palmyra (Unknown). Antiquity market, via sons of Sheikh Fayyad “Qaryatein”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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    Material: Limestone<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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    Date: 2ed C CE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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    Item size:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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    Archaeological Mission:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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    Inv. no. 15 023| National Museum of Damascus<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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    VMS Code: Dam 0137<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>

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    Excavation Site Location<\/em><\/h3><\/span>
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