**Originally Listed At $1000**

Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumerian, Late Uruk to Jemdet Nasr period, ca. 3300 to 2900 BCE. A finely carved alabaster cow statue in a recumbent position, the legs folded to the sides and the curved tail forming a suspension loop. Red jasper beads are inlaid along the shoulder and white stone beads for the eyes. This effigy perhaps symbolizes Ninsumun or Ninsun - whose name means "lady of the wild cows" - and according to Sumerian mythology is a goddess beloved for being the mother of the celebrated hero Gilgamesh, as well as the tutelary goddess of Gudea of Lagash. It is also possible this is the pregnant cow known as Geme-Sin belonging to Nanna/Suen/Sin - the Mesopotamian moon god. Furthermore, the moon god, whose primary symbol was actually a bull, was also associated with fertility, since the timing of its transformations was related to menstrual cycles, and by extension the cow. Size: 3" L x 1" W x 1.3" H (7.6 cm x 2.5 cm x 3.3 cm)

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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#175494

Chips and abrasions to feet and base. Mineral and dark earthen deposits on surface as shown. Chips, losses, and hairline fissures on bead inlays. Overall great condition!