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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 displaying wide-opened, thick-lidded eyes beneath an arching unibrow, a triangular nose, fleshy, folding jowls, a toothy grimace with extending fangs, and a vertically straited chin. 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: 3.5" W x 4.1" H (8.9 cm x 10.4 cm); 5.3" H (13.5 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

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#180053

Professionally repaired and restored with break lines visible in some areas. Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent with impressive preservation of detail and liberal remaining pigments.