Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Babylon, Old Babylonian Period, ca. 2000 to 1600 BCE. A fine, 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 helmet-like coiffure. In Akkadian mythology, Humbaba or Huwawa 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: 2.8" W x 3.2" H (7.1 cm x 8.1 cm); 4.4" H (11.2 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.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#144201

Minor nicks and abrasions to face, peripheries, and verso, as well as softening to some finer details, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with light earthen deposits.