Culture: NEAR EASTERN. Date: 2000 - 1500 B.C. Material: TERRACOTTA. Provenance: EX: EARLY PRIVATE COLLECTION. Condition: INTACT, VERY GOOD, MOUNTED ON A CUSTOM BASE STAND. Measurements: 3.25 INCHES HIGH (8 CMS). In the form of a head pendant with a loop above that is drilled for suspension. This head depicts Humbaba, the protector of the Cedar forests of Lebanon and the hero of the Gelgamesh epic: Humbaba is a monster in the Epic of Gilgamesh who guards the cedar forest in the Lebanon mountains. He is a giant human and is sometimes shown with lion's claws, long hair, and a monstrous, hairy face. Humbaba is killed by Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu who journey to the forest to cut down cedar trees. An extremely rare head pendant. Cf: nos. 99. 101, Ladders to Heaven.
Antiquities Ancient Near East
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