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mace
Object Type
mace
Museum number
23287
Description
White limestone mace head; carved in low relief with the backgrounds polished and details incised; inscribed around the top; the carving shows Imdugud, the symbol of Ningirsu, a lion-headed eagle grasping the tails of two lions, and three human figures, the largest of whom is probably Enannatum (the ruler of Lagash).
Authority
Ruler:
Enannatum I
Cultures/periods
Early Dynastic III
Findspot
Excavated/Findspot:
Tello
Materials
limestone
Technique
carved
perforated
incised
polished
Dimensions
Diameter:
2.20 centimetres
(perforation)
Diameter:
11 centimetres
Height:
11.70 centimetres
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references
Aruz & Wallenfels 2003a / Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus
(no. 35, pp. 75-76.)
Sigrist M et al 1996a / Catalogue of the Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum, II
Location
Not on display
Exhibition history
2022 26 Mar-19 Jun, Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham, Ancient Iraq 2020 7-18 Mar and 1 Sep-1 Nov, Newcastle upon Tyne, Great North Museum: Hancock, Ancient Iraq 2003 5 May-17 Aug, New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 'Art of the First Cities'
Subjects
bird
mammal
devil/demon
deity
(?)
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Enannatum I
(?)
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Enannatum II
(?)
Named in inscription:
Barakisumun
Representation of:
Im-Dugud
Named in inscription:
Lugalurub
Named in inscription:
Ningirsu
Emblem of:
Ningirsu
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Capt H V Cowley
Acquisition date
1897
Department
Middle East
BM/Big number
23287
Registration number
1897,0514.1