Unpublished model of a throne. Mesopotamia, Paleobabylonian period, II millennium BC.

Unpublished model of a throne. Mesopotamia, Paleobabylonian period, II millennium BC.
Terracotta.
Good condition.
Provenance: Belgian private collection Mr.Y.P. before 1981 / Galerie Gilgamesh, Archeologie Mediterraneenne & Orientale, France, 2015; Exhibited: Ifergan Collection, Malaga (2018-2020).
Thermoluminescence test (TL) attached.
With export permit from the Spanish Ministry of Culture valid until November 22, 2025.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Ref. iconography on glyptic: one specimen in the Pierpont Morgan Library, inv. no. 202; another in the Metropolitan museum, inv. no. 202.
in the Metropolitan museum, inv. no., L1992.23.5.
- A similar specimen is in the Musee du Lovre, inv. no. AO 9003.
- Art of the first cities, Metropolitan museum of art, 2003. p214-217.
- J. Black, A. Green, Gods, demons and symbols of ancient Mesopotamia, British Museum,
1992.
- E. Douglas van Buren, Clay figurines of Babylonia and Assyria, Yale Oriental Series, Researches, vol 16, New York, 1930, p207, pl LIII no. 25.
Measurements: 9.5 x 6 cm.

Model of a finely worked throne. This is a unique object, as there are very few similar to this throne, and none of this quality. Above the seat, three steps lead to a closed door decorated with bands and stars. It is flanked by two bearded heroes, their hair forming four curls, holding long rods ending in side rings. Above the door, two bulls under three crescent moons and a star. The three steps leading to the door seem to indicate that it is the entrance to a temple, but identifying the god to whom it is dedicated is complex. The two heroes holding the posts (often called jambs) are found in glyptics from the late 3rd millennium BC, but are not clearly associated with a god. The three crescent moons and the bulls are associated with the lunar god Sin: this throne model would therefore be dedicated to him.
In the 2nd millennium BC, the production of engraved plaques with various motifs (scenes of daily life, divinities, naked women) was widespread. They were found in tombs as well as in dwellings and temples, and little is known about their use.
In the British Museum we can find examples of relatively similar chairs (in much worse state of preservation) that were found in Diqdiqqah, a district of the city of Ur where numerous deposits were found with terracotta votive sculptures, amulets and terracotta recreations. of different types of furniture including thrones and beds.