Vila Wolf's Dyslexic Folklorist Ranting

Neo-Sumerian Statuette of an Androcephalous Bull, C. 2350-2000 BC

Made of Chlorite with inlays (now mostly missing)

Images of human-headed bulls are found throughout Mesopotamian history. Several statuettes dating from the late third millennium BC show a bearded creature wearing the divine horned headdress, lying down with its head turned to the side. They have been found at various Sumerian sites, the majority from Telloh (ancient Girsu, see map).

There is a small group of these recumbent bulls dating from the Neo-Sumerian period (around 2150-2000 BC), one of which is inscribed with the name of Gudea, the Second Dynasty ruler of Lagash. In the Neo-Assyrian period (9th-6th centuries BC), the human-headed bull, now with a pair of wings, becomes the guardian of the royal palace, flanking the doors through which visitors entered. This creature was a lamassu, a benevolent protective spirit generally associated with the sun-god Shamash.

From kidsdiscover.com

Girsu. Pillar of Gudea from Tell I. Neo-Sumerian.

Architecture.

Girsu (Telloh), Iraq.

Neo-Sumerian

Image and original data provided by Bryn Mawr College Parrot, A., Tello, Vingt Campagnes de Fouilles, (Paris, 1948); fig. 34

Foundation nail dedicated by Gudea of Lagash to Ningirsu for the building of the E-ninnu. Terracotta, ca. 2120 BC. May come from Tello, ancient Girsu.

“For Ningirsu, the powerful hero of Enlil, his king, Gudea, prince of Lagash, accomplished what had to be; his temple of E-innu, the shining thunder-bird, he built and restaured.”

Statue of Gudea

Credit: Courtesy Detroit Institute of Arts

This 16 inch (40 cm) statue dating between 2141 - 2122 BC depicts Gudea who ruled the city-state of Lagash. Researchers note that Gudea chose to be depicted in a humbler pose than other rulers of his day, perhaps to emphasize his religious piety.

Statue of Gudea

Period: Neo-Suerian

Date: ca. 2090 B.C.

Geography: Mesopotamia, probably from Girsu (modern Tell Telloh)

Culture: Neo-Sumerian

Medium: Diorite

Dimensions: 17 3/8 x 8 1/2 x 11 5/8 in. (44 x 21.5 x 29.5 cm)

Classification: Stone

Description: The Akkadian Empire collapsed after two centuries of rule, and during the succeeding fifty years, local kings ruled independent city-states in southern Mesopotamia. The city-state of Lagash produced a remarkable number of statues of its kings as well as Sumerian literary hymns and prayers under the rule of Gudea (ca. 2150–2125 B.C.) and his son Ur-Ningirsu (ca. 2125–2100 B.C.). Unlike the art of the Akkadian period, which was characterized by dynamic naturalism, the works produced by this Neo-Sumerian culture are pervaded by a sense of pious reserve and serenity.

This sculpture belongs to a series of diorite statues commissioned by Gudea, who devoted his energies to rebuilding the great temples of Lagash and installing statues of himself in them. Many inscribed with his name and divine dedications survive. Here, Gudea is depicted in the seated pose of a ruler before his subjects, his hands folded in a traditional gesture of greeting and prayer. The Sumerian inscription on his robe lists the various temples that he built or renovated in Lagash and names the statue itself, “Gudea, the man who built the temple; may his life be long."

Provenance: Probably collected at Tello with other statues in 1924; 1930s, collection of Feuardent; by 1937, collection of Géjou family; by 1958, collection of Elias S. David; acquired by the Museum in 1959, purchased from Elias S. David, New York.

Statue of Gudea (detail).

Head of Gudea, prince of Lagash. Diorite, Telloh (ancient city of Girsu), ca. 2120 BC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Head_Gudea_Louvre_AO13.jpg

One of 18 Statues of Gudea, a ruler around 2090 BCE

Met Museum

Gudea