Ancient Near East

Cylinder seals and modern impression

Mesopotamia

around 14th Century B.C.

Metropolitan Museum

Cradle of Civilization

5th "Live-in" session

Again I had a guided tour, this time to the Ancient Near East. A section rather small on the second floor that otherwise I don't think would have kept my attention for very long. But together with four other enthusiastic learners, among them a young hipster from Singapore who impressed with his added knowledge and a wonderful volunteer who was enthusiastically telling us about the "Cradle of Civilization" it ended up being a great extended hour filled with wonders.

Look at the above seals, these little cylinders had a persons symbolized story on it and by rolling it over it became their signature. They would usually hang it around their neck so it could be used at all time, like a form of identification, amazing.

Map of Mesopotamia

Tablets in Clay

Mesopotamia

Ca. 2000-3000 B.C.

The top tablet is early writing about wheat and barley quantities. The Mesopotamian land had a rich soil and was easy to farm and barley was often used as payment to the workers. Early on they learned how to control the rivers for irrigation. Flooding though could be extremely destructive and put a lot of stress on the people. They reached for the Gods for help. The temple was the God of the city and the main job of the ruler was to nourish the relationship with the Gods.

This little figure has it's face covered by its offering, so you are interestingly forced to look at it from it's side. Seemingly something common from what I saw, most of the pieces looked best from the side.

the entrance to the Northwest Palace 

of Ashurnasirpal II At Nimrud

883-859 B.C.

 If you ever go and look at these horse/humans guarding the palace, look at the legs. The horses has five legs so it would look beautiful from both the front and the side.

Part of the wall inside the castle

The Professional way

Babylon

glazed Lion panel

(1792-1750 B.C.)

From the panels leading through the massive gate from the Temple of Marduk (city god of Babylon) to the Bit Akitu, the temple of the New Years festival.

Vessel terminating in the forepart of a 

fantastic iconine creature

Gold/Iran

Achaemenid period, 5th century B.C.

Gorgeous vessel probably belonging to an Achaemenid King.

Striding figure with ibex horns, a raptor skin draped around the shoulders and upturned boots

Arsenical copper

Iran or Mesopotamia

ca. 3000 B.C.

Created around the time of the first Sumerian cities emerged, when the figures began to represent more the human shape. With the triple belt and the beard this one is supposed to represent a royal or divine human being. Quite a bit of a demonic looking royal i would say.

Statue of Gudea

Diorite

Mesopotamia 

Ca. 2150 B.C.

This figure makes me think of peace. The seated pose with the hands folded is a traditional gesture of greeting and attentiveness. Parts of the inscription says:

"Gudea, the man who built the temple, may his life be long"

Head of a ruler

Arsenical copper

Iran (?)

2300-2000 B.C.

To read more about this head and theories of it being Ur-Namma here: 

Sumerian Shakespeare.

You will notice my picture:)

 

The Royal Cemetery at Ur

(ca. 2600-2200 B.C.)

In these burial cites (part of hundreds) that probably belonged to the royal family of Ur, the deceased were buried with male and female guards and attendants in full dress and with chariots drawn by equids and oxen. A great source for illuminating life and customs in Sumer. I think the rest of the burial site is in Pennsylvania and at the British Museum.

Vessel stand with ibex support

Copper alloy, inlaid with shell and lapis lazuli

Mesopotamia

(Early Dynastic III 2600-2350 B.C.)

This stand was probably used for incense or offerings at a ritual.

Seated female

steatite or chlorite, limestone

Central Asia (Bactria-Margiana)

Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium B.C.

She is wearing a voluminous sheepskin robe, I adore this little figure of divinity.

Statuette of a female

Ceramic

Northwestern Iran, Caspian region

(Early 1st millenium B.C.)

Do you remember the Cycladic female? with the large wonderful buttocks. The Caspians put it all in the hips:)

Quiver plaque with animals and mythological scenes

Bronze

Western Iran

(Early 1st millenium B.C.)

A gorgeous sword scabbard.

Vessel fragment in the form of nude female

Ceramic, paint

Southwestern Iran

Neo-Elamite period (8th - 7th Century B.C.)

I had a sigh of relief when I noticed this one. Somehow a little humor and sensuality does not hurt while you are out to learn.

Clothing from a horseman along the Silk Road

The Silk Road was the trade routes that connected the East, South and Western Asia with the Mediterranean world, also North and Northeast Africa and Europe. The word stemming from Chinese silk trade from over 3000 years back in time.

Next up in the "Live-in Sessions" is the Oceanic Room and I can´t wait to tell you all about it. Impressive!

With Love 

Kristin