Worshipper at The British Museum, London

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This man wears a majestic wreath signifying his devotion. The statue epitomizes the distinctive style of Cypriot art during this era, seamlessly blending Greek and Persian attire with hair within the local tradition of carving limestone votive images. Dedicated at a prominent sanctuary in the city of Idalion (modern Dali), the local deity worshipped here was later equated with Greek Apollo and his Phoenician counterpart Rashef. Frequently depicted donning a lion skin and brandishing a club, he safeguarded humans against the forces of nature. The colossal size and exceptional quality of the carving demonstrate that this man possessed extraordinary wealth and social standing. He likely belonged to the ruling dynasty, possibly even serving as king himself. As chief worshipper in his realm, he may also have functioned as high priest. The sanctuary was one of the principal cult sites of the Greek-speaking kingdom of Idalion. Following Idalion's conquest by its Phoenician neighbor Kition (modern Larnaka) around 450BC, its new rulers revered the great shrine and made offerings there, including this statue. Discovered at the Sanctuary of Apollo-Reshef in Dali, it is now permanently exhibited at The British Museum in London. This artifact forms part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit endeavor initiated by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital repository of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access free of charge. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you possess intriguing items nearby and wish to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can assist.