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_900x900.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
_200x200.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
_900x900.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
_200x200.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
_900x900.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
_200x200.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
.jpg "Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon")
LOT 0278
Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon
CIRCA 1900-1800 B.C.
3 3/8 in. (191 grams, 87 mm).
Modelled in the round, depicting the (severed?) head of a Mesopotamian demon, with iconic facial features in relief; hollow with a vent to the neck; produced from a two-piece mould, with a median seam through the facial features.
ProvenancePrivate collection, Israel.
with Holy Land House of Antiquities, Jerusalem, 1980s.
Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2001.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12878-241678.
Cf. The British Museum, museum numbers 127443 and 128821, for Humbaba faces; see Moorey, P. R. S., The Terracotta Plaques from Kish and Hursagkalama, c. 1850 to 1650 B.C., Iraq, vol.37, no.2, 1975, pp.79-99. Cf. also for a similar head Zaina, F., The Urban Archaeology of early Kish, 3rd Millennium BCE levels at Tell Ingharra, Bologna, 2020, pl.CXLII, no.7.
FootnotesWithin traditional Mesopotamian religion, Humbaba was a creature regarded as the guardian of the cedar forest and the brother of Pazuzu. He was represented as a giant who had been raised by the sun god, Shamash. However, this head could also refer to another deity or demon, like one of the heads found in the Kish excavations.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
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With incuse frieze; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Hematite 26 x 13. The scene consists of two pairs of figures. In the one pair the noon-god Sin is seated on an angular stool, with small footstool. He is wearing a horned tiara and long flounced robe, and holds up a pole with the lunar crescent on the top. In front of him stands a Lahmu-hero, nude save for a triple-stranded belt, with big beard and curls either side of his face, clasping his hands. The other pair consists of a standing god in horned tiara and long pleated robe open at the front, from which one leg projects with foot resting on a snake-dragon. This god holds up a wedge in one hand. Facing him is a worshiper in a long pleated robe, offering in his arms a kid to the god. There is one filler: a large fly. This is an Old Babylonian seal, from Mesopotamia, c. 1900-1700 B.C. It is in good condition, and is an interesting example of its type; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 11.86 grams, 25 mm
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