Gypsum
circa 2500 BCE
Iraq, West Asia
The British Museum
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient Mesopotamia
Case Title
Early Civilisations
Display Location
Rotunda
Findspot
probably Iraq
Measurements
29.3 x 12 x 13.4 cm
Accession Number
1963,0713.1
Description
His hands are clasped in reverence, and his wide-eyed gaze — originally inlaid with shell and precious lapis lazuli — conveys profound devotion. This sculpture from ancient Mesopotamia was intended to represent its owner, and be placed in a temple to commune forever with the gods. Statues like this were created in detachable parts, and assembled — male and female — before sale.
With its rich traditional tufted fleece garment, this figure, originally brightly coloured, is emblematic of the wealth of Mesopotamia.
Curators Comments
Around the time of the Harappan (Sindhu-Sarasvati) Civilisation, other great civilisations flourished along the banks of mighty rivers in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. Mesopotamia, the land between two mighty rivers – Euphrates and Tigris — formed the heart of a huge fertile area in West Asia, around 6000 years ago.
