Statue of Ebih-Il

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Statue of Ebih-Il
Musée du Louvre, Paris
Heilongjiang Art Museum, Harbin (downsized replica)
IdentificationAO 17551
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The Statue of Ebih-Il was discovered in Mari, modern Syria

The Statue of Ebih-Il is a 25th-century BC statue of the praying figure of Ebih-Il (𒂗𒋾𒅋, EN-TI-IL, e-bih-il),

Musée du Louvre. It has been described as "a masterpiece by virtue of its craftsmanship, state of preservation, and expressive style."[3]

Overview

The statue, made of translucent smooth

hassock. He is shown in a praying posture with hands clasped against his chest conveying his devotion to the deity.[3]

The man's head is shaved. His long beard is composed of vertical curls and has drilled holes drilled formerly inlaid with another, now-lost material.[3] The beard accentuates the figure's cheeks and finely sculpted lips that convey a half-smile. The figure's staring blue eyes were crafted with particular care and detail. Flakes of schist, shells and lapis lazuli form the eyelashes and eyelids, cornea and iris, respectively.[4] The lapis lazuli inlays were imported from as far east as Afghanistan.[3]

The figure has a bare torso and thin waist. The hands are clasped against the chest, with the left hand closed and placed inside the right hand.[4] The figure's only dress is the Sumerian-style ceremonial kaunakes skirt. This elaborate fleece skirt appears to be made from animal hide (probably sheepskin or goatskin) as evidenced by the presence of a tail at the back.[3] The figure's feet are missing but their attachment piece is still showing under the dress.[4]

The inscription in

Ishtar Virile."[3]

𒊨 𒂗𒋾𒅋 𒉡𒌉 𒀭𒈹𒍑 𒊕𒄸𒁺[5]
dul, Ebih-il, nu-banda, dIštar Nita, sarig[6]
"This statue, Ebih-il, the overseer, to Ishtar (?), he dedicated"

— Inscription on the statue of Ebib-Il.[7][8]

Excavation

The statue was discovered in two parts by a French excavation team under

Lamgi-Mari.[9] The left arm and elbow were broken, and the base of the right elbow was shattered.[4] The statues were the first major discovery of the Mari excavations started winter 1933,[10] the head found 22 January 1934, the body 23 January 1934.[11]

  • Excavation of the head of Ebih-Il (22 January 1934)
    Excavation of the head of Ebih-Il (22 January 1934)
  • Head of Ebih-Il (discovery, 22 January 1934)
    Head of Ebih-Il (discovery, 22 January 1934)
  • Body of Ebih-Il (discovery, 23 January 1934)
    Body of Ebih-Il (discovery, 23 January 1934)
  • Head of Ebih-Il upon discovery
    Head of Ebih-Il upon discovery
  • Head of Ebih-Il upon discovery (profile)
    Head of Ebih-Il upon discovery (profile)

Details of the statue

  • Ebih-Il in the Louvre, AO17551
    Ebih-Il in the Louvre, AO17551
  • The figure's facial expressions. The figure's hands are clasped in prayer
    The figure's facial expressions. The figure's hands are clasped in prayer
  • A profile of the statue showing the seated posture and the kaunakes skirt
    A profile of the statue showing the seated posture and the kaunakes skirt
  • A closeup of the finely crafted eyes
    A closeup of the finely crafted eyes
  • Dedication of the statue in Proto-cuneiform script: "Ebih-Il, nu-banda (𒉡𒌉, nu-banda, "overseer"),[12] offered his statue to Ishtar Virile"
    Dedication of the statue in Proto-cuneiform script: "Ebih-Il, nu-banda (𒉡𒌉, nu-banda, "overseer"),[12] offered his statue to Ishtar Virile"
  • The name "Ebih-Il" (𒂗𒋾𒅋, EN-TI-IL)[13] on the statue, with the corresponding standard Sumero-Akkadian cuneiforms.[1]
    The name "Ebih-Il" (𒂗𒋾𒅋, EN-TI-IL)[13] on the statue, with the corresponding standard Sumero-Akkadian cuneiforms.[1]
  • A closeup showing the details of the wicker seat
    A closeup showing the details of the wicker seat

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ebih-Il the intendant-AO 17551.
Mari
Kings
Archaeology

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b "Sumerian Dictionary". oracc.iaas.upenn.edu.
  2. JSTOR 23297288
    .
  3. ^
    Musée du Louvre
    . Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e Parrot, 1935, p. 26.
  5. ^ The first character is 𒊨 dul3 for "statue" ("plaster") in "Statue inscription of Ebil-Il"., previously given as 𒊕 şalam by Spycket. A related reference: Lecompte, Camille (2014). Le sanctuaire du "Seigneur du pays". Cahier des Thèmes transversaux.
  6. ^ Written 𒊕𒄸𒁺 sa12rig9 "to donate a statue", rather than the later (Babylonian) 𒅖𒊒𒊌 išruk "to donate". For reference: "Statue inscription of Ebil-Il"., "Statue of Ikun-Shamash". CDLI.
  7. ^ Spycket, Agnès (1968). Les Statues de culte dans les textes mésopotamiens: des origines à la Ire. dynastie de Babylone (in French). J. Gabalda et Cie. p. 36.
  8. ^ "Statue inscription of Ebil-Il".
  9. ^ a b Cluzan; Lecompte, 2011, p. 5.
  10. ^ Parrot, 1935, p. 1.
  11. ^ "Voués à Ishtar. Syrie, janvier 1934: André Parrot découvre Mari" (PDF).
  12. ^ "Sumerian Dictionary". oracc.iaas.upenn.edu.
  13. JSTOR 23297288
    .

Bibliography

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