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THBFine Babylonian Terracotta Portrait Plaque of Humbaba
Lot 86a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,000 - $3,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 27, 2020
Set Reminder
2020-02-27 10:00:00
2020-02-27 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : VARIETY SALE | Antiquities & Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/variety-sale-antiquities-ethnographic-art-4920
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (436)
- Lot Description
Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Babylon, ca. 2000 to 1600 BCE. A press-molded terracotta plaque featuring the intimidating countenance of the legendary demon giant Humbaba with thick-lidded eyes, a broad nose, wrinkled jowls that coalesce at the bottom to form the chin, a toothy grimace, and a vertically straited coiffure. In Akkadian mythology, Humbaba (Assyrian) or Huwawa (Babylonian/Sumerian) was a monstrous demon giant who personified Styx, the river of the dead. Humbaba was also the guardian of the Forest of the Cedars where the other gods resided. Size: 2.3" W x 2.625" H (5.8 cm x 6.7 cm); 3.875" H (9.8 cm) on included custom stand.
The most famous Mesopotamian story - entitled "The Epic of Gilgamesh" - narrates how Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out on an adventure to the Cedar Forest to slay Humbaba. Once they find Humbaba, the giant demon renowned for his terrifying, supernatural radiance, they beat him nearly to death. Humbaba's pleas for mercy were almost granted, however Enkidu convinces Gilgamesh to finally kill the beast and achieve global fame for the rest of time; subsequently, Gilgamesh acquiesces to his friend's suggestion and beheads the dreaded monster. The severed head of Humbaba was then affixed to a cedar door and sent to the temple of Enlil, king of the gods. This literary detail may explain the abundance of clay plaques depicting Humbaba’s wrinkled and terrifying face as they were perhaps primarily used as charms against evil and may have been hung on entrances to homes or businesses.
For a stylistically similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 55.162.1.
For another, more similar example, please see The British Museum, museum number 127439.
Provenance: ex-private prominent D.K. collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 2000s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#153419Minor nicks and abrasions to face, peripheries, and verso, with light encrustations, and minor softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout, and nice remaining facial details. Old inventory label on verso.Condition
- Shipping Info
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