Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, ca. 2nd millennium BCE. A mold-made earthenware plaque showing a standing male figure in a striding pose. He has a long and impressive beard in the style of distinguished men from this time period, wears a rounded cap and a skirt, and has his hands displayed in a typical fighting pose. This man may be a warrior of high status. There is a strong tradition in the ancient Near East of warriors and men of high standing being depicted on plaques like this one, and doing so was symbolic of an artistic form of immortality. Size: 1.75" W x 4" H (4.4 cm x 10.2 cm).

During this time period, the Mesopotamians produced great numbers of clay plaques, many of which survive to this day. They were made for use by private individuals or families in the home, which is where most have been excavated. They are often found broken, probably because their ritual power was no longer needed or had expired. They give us a crucial glimpse into how individuals lived in this lost time period.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#121043

Surface wear commensurate with age, chips and minor losses to peripheries, and small encrustations on reverse side.