Statues of votive figures

Statues of votive figures, from the Square Temple at Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar, Iraq). Sumerian.c. 2700 B.C.E. Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone.


  • ALABASTAR FIGURES
  • BURIED IN FLOOR OF TEMPLE
  • 12 IN TOTAL, MOST MALE
  • NORTHERN MESOPOTAMIA
  • EXPRESSION OF EARLY DYNASTIC SUMERIAN ART
  • TEMPLE DEDICATED TO ABU
  • DEVELOPED CITY
  • TRANSITIONAL PERIOD RIGHT AFTER BRONZE AGE, CIVILIZATIONS FOUNDED
  • WIDE EYES, ATTENTIVE
  • LOOKING AT SCULPTURE OF GOD
  • CONTINUALLY ATTENTIVE TO GOD
  • STANDS ERECT HANDS CLASPED TOGETHER
  • BROAD SHOULDERS, FRONTALITY
  • HAIR PARTED AT CENTER
  • WAVES, BRAIDS
  • FINE INCISING AT BOTTOM OF HIS SKIRT
  • CYLINDRICAL 
  • INLAID SHELL EYES
  • BLACK LIMESTONE PUPILS
  • VOTIVE IMAGES, WORSHIPPERS; NO KINGS DEPICTED
  • SYMBOL OF PEOPLE; DOESNT LITERALLY REFLECT A PERSON
  • HUMBLE 
  • V-SHAPED TORSO 
  • GEOMETRIC PATTERNING
  • UNNATURALISTIC 
  • OBTUSE NOSE
  • STATIC, SYMMETRICAL GIVES SENSE OF TIMELESSNESS
  • FOREVER OFFERING PRAYERS TO THE GOD
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