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Ancient Middle East


Oriental Antiquities.



2,022 photos
Female figurine found in a tomb under a house. A mothergoddess.Around 6.000 BCE From Tell es Sawwan, middle Tigris, near Samarra. Alabaster,H:4 cm DAO 33
#03030134

Female figurine found in a tomb under a house. A mothergoddess.Around 6...

Zoomorphic vase,terracotta. Marlik civilisation North of the Caspian Sea. Terracotta, H: 21,2 cm
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Zoomorphic vase,terracotta. Marlik civilisation Nort...

Zoomorphic vase,terracotta. Marlik civilisation North of the Caspian Sea. Terracotta, H: 21,2 cm
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Zoomorphic vase,terracotta. Marlik civilisation Nort...

Pearl dedicated to the moon god. Neo Sumerian, reign of Ibbi-Sin,king of Ur. Around 2.020 BCE Agate AO 27622
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Pearl dedicated to the moon god. Neo Sumerian, reign of I...

"Sit Shamsi", the ceremony of sunrise. Bronze model of a high place, dedicated by Inshushinak,King of Elam. Detail: two naked priests crouch between two altars. From Susa. Bronze, 60 x 40 cm Sb 2743
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"Sit Shamsi", the ceremony of sunrise. Bronze model of a high place, dedicat...

Cup,Mesopotamian, late Prehistoric period, 3.400 to 3200 BCE.he cup is carved on either side with a figure naked except for a belt and with his hair parted in the centre. The figure holds two bulls around the neck, on which perch large birds. The meaning of this image is unclear:the man may be protecting the animals, or he may represent the struggle between chaotic savagery and divine order. ANE, 118465
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Cup,Mesopotamian, late Prehistoric period, 3.400 to 3200 BCE.he cup is carved on...

Stone cult vessel,from Mesopotamia, 3400-3200 BCE. This was the time when large cities were developing in southern Mesopotamia. The largest known settlement was Uruk (modern Warka). In its center were monumental temple buildings with sculptures for ritual use, or, if smaller, left as votive objects. Lines of animals are commonly depicted attacking domesicated animals. This is a standard theme in Mesopotamic art, a symbolic representation of the struggle between chaotic savagry and divine order. ANE, 118361
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Stone cult vessel,from Mesopotamia, 3400-3200 BCE. This was the time when large...

Clay plaque showing a banqueter, from Uruk (Warka), 1st CE. The plaque shows a reclining man in Parthian dress of belted tunic and baggy trousers. He holds a drinking cup in one hand. The figure was made by pressing clay into a simple mould. ANE 91786
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Clay plaque showing a banqueter, from Uruk (Warka), 1st CE. The plaque shows a...

Queen's lyre from Ur, southern Iraq, 2600-2400 BCE. Stringed instrument with a bull's head, found in the grave of Queen Pu-abi, part of the Royal Tombs in the cemetery at Ur. Along with the lyre were the bodies of ten women with fine jewellery, presumed to be sacrificial victims. One woman lay right against the lyre, the bones of her hands placed where the strings wuld have been. ANE 121198A
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Queen's lyre from Ur, southern Iraq, 2600-2400 BCE. Stringed instrument with a b...

Silver fluted tumbler from Ur, southern Mesopotamia, early dynastic period,2.600-2.400 BCE. The tumbler comes from the Royal graves at Ur. Metal was expensive in Mesopotamia where there are no metal deposits. Several vessels like this one were found at Ur, often made from gold. Silver was widely used but unlike gold the metal corrodes and does not survive. ANE, 122258
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Silver fluted tumbler from Ur, southern Mesopotamia, early dynastic period,2.60...

Stone vessel from Ur,Mesopotamian,southern Iraq. Dis- covered in the grave of Queen Pu-abi in the cemetery at Ur, 2600-2400 BCE. It was first roughly chipped to shape, then hollowed out using a bow-drill and finally the exterior was finely cut and polished. ANE 121717
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Stone vessel from Ur,Mesopotamian,southern Iraq. Dis- covered in the grave of Qu...

Gold cup from Ur,Mesopotamia,southern Iraq, 2.600 - 2.400 BCE. Found on the floor of the pit of the Queen's grave alongside the sacrificial victims. There are no gold deposits in Mesopotamia, and the metal would probably have come from Iran or Anatolia. Manufactured in Mesopotamia. ANE 121346
#03030146

Gold cup from Ur,Mesopotamia,southern Iraq, 2.600 - 2.400 BCE. Found on the floo...