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212
Neo-Sumerian clay plaque with a bearded, male scribe seated on a simple, backless bench, facing right, with arm held forward above a tablet. This is from Ur and dates from the 22nd to the 21st century BC.
Ancient cylinder seals and more
Clay, the Canvas of Ancient Mesopotamia
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213
Sumerian clay tablet and the remains of its envelope from the Ur III period, 2200-2000 BC. To provide for security and confidentiality, tablets were often written then enclosed in an outer casing which, upon delivery, was broken open and read. The envelope measures 2 ¼ x 1 7/8 inches and the tablet itself 1 ¾ by 1 7/8 inches.
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214
Small Sumerian clay tablet with cuneiform on both sides from the Ur III period. It measures 1 ¾ inches by 1 ½ inches.
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215
Molded clay plaque from the Old Babylonian period, 2000-1595 BC with two pigs facing right. Domesticated by approximately 7000 BC, pigs were a popular part of the Babylonian diet. This plaque is unusual because it features animals that did not appear to be of particular religious significance. It measures 4 inches by 2 ½ inches.
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216
Molded Neo-Sumerian clay plaque featuring a very early depiction of the mythical beast mušḫuššu facing right. Dating from 2200-1925 BC. It measures 3 ½ inches by 2 ¾ inches. The mušḫuššu is a mythological hybrid: a scaly dragon with hind legs resembling the talons of an eagle, feline forelegs, a long neck and tail, a horned head, a snake-like tongue, and a crest. In the Babylonian era, it became known as the attribute animal of the god Marduk and was prominently featured in Babylonian art. (Wiggerman, F.A.M. (1 January 1997). “Transtigridian Snake Gods”. In Finkel, I. L.; Geller, M. J. Sumerian Gods and their Representations. Cuneiform Monographs. 7. Gronigen, Netherlands: Styx Publications. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-90-56-93005-9.)
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217
Syro-Hittite terracotta bound captive figurine, circa 2800 – 1500 BC. Height: 15.6 cm. Weight: 122 grams.
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218
Old Babylonian era clay tablet inscribed on the front and one side with multiple lines of cuneiform. The text describes several quantities of commodities deposited in a temple warehouse. This item dates from 1894-1595 BC and measures 3 3/4 inches x 2 1/4 inches.
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219
Round clay bulla from the Old Babylonian era, 1894-1595 BC featuring a cylinder seal impression of four standing figures in a presentation or worship scene. It measures 2 inches in diameter
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220
Sumerian clay mask or plaque, 2600-2200 BC, of the legendary demon Humbaba, surnamed the Terrible. This monstrous giant of immemorial age was raised by Utu, the Sun and was the guardian of the Cedar Forest, where the gods lived, by the will of the god Enlil, who “assigned Humbaba as a terror to human beings. Gilgamesh defeated this great enemy.” Humbaba is first mentioned in Tablet II of the Epic of Gilgamesh: after Gilgamesh and Enkidu become friends following their initial fight, they set out on an adventure to the Cedar Forest beyond the seventh mountain range, to slay Humbaba: “Enkidu,” Gilgamesh vows, “since a man cannot pass beyond the final end of life, I want to set off into the mountains, to establish my renown there.” Gilgamesh tricks the monster into giving away his seven “radiances” by offering his sisters as wife and concubine. When Humbaba’s guard is down, Gilgamesh punches him and captures the monster. Defeated, Humbaba appeals to a receptive Gilgamesh for mercy, but Enkidu convinces Gilgamesh to slay Humbaba. This piece measures 3 inches in height.
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221
Terracotta votive twin figures sitting on a bench from the Old Assyrian period, 2025-1364 BC. An unusual configuration of similar but clearly not identical figures with long curled black hair and round high caps. Traces of the original pigment including bitumen remain. The figure on the right is missing its arms at the bows but the arms of the figure on the left are extended, perhaps in worship or supplication.
The long and highly stylized hairdos are characteristic of many figures and monumental statues of the period. Statues of men often featured heavy, braided beards as well as long curled hair. The lack of facial hair and the feminine features show this to be a representation of female figures, though the lack of any jewelry needs to be noted. Many figures of various goddess of this and other periods are frequently heavily bedecked with jewels. See the plaque image of the great goddess Inanna, No. 222 in the collection which shows the goddess with 24 necklaces of ascending size as well as other jewelry.