ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN ART IMAGE 14: Statues of Votive Figures

Offered in fulfillment of a vow or a pledge

VOTIVE:

Sculpture that is completely sculpted all the way around-- it is not carved in relief from a stone

FREE-STANDING:

Empty space around an object or a person, such as the cut-out areas between a figure’s legs or the arms of a sculpture

NEGATIVE SPACE:

MAGE 14: Statues of Votive Figures, from the Square Temple at Eshnunna, Iraq (modern Tell Asmar, Iraq), c. 2700 BCE. Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, male figure 2’ 6” high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

ID’s

a soft white or gray mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulfate

Gypsum

offered in fulfillment of a vow or a pledge

Votive

Acted as permanent stand-ins for mortal elite citizens inside the temple, continuously praying to the gods when the actual person had to attend to daily life.

Surrogate Worshipers

Placed in the cella (sanctuary) of the Square Temple as gifts ("votives") to honor the deity Abu.

Devotional Offerings:

 The wide-eyed gaze symbolizes perpetual vigilance and eternal readiness to receive divine energy.

Attentiveness:

“It offers prayers”

Inscription on back

Buried in groups under a temple floor

Location Found

Depict men & women

Surviving Statues

Sumerians believed the gods controlled unpredictable nature and required constant devotion, fear, and praise to keep society safe.

Sumerian Religious Beliefs:

Found buried in a hoard beneath the floor of the Square Temple at Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar, Iraq), likely placed there during a temple renovation to preserve their sacred status.

Early Dynastic Period (~2700 BCE):

These are not realistic portraits; they represent generic ideal types defined by pious devotion rather than physical likeness.

Individual Identity vs. Type:

Carved limestone statues in specific likeness of patron
0-3ft Tall

Form:

• Worshipping purpose, meant to replace worshiper that cannot pray to Abu (minor god of plants

Function:

• Broad, geometric features, patterned beard for male

• LARGE Eyes meant to stare at sculpture of Abu, represent alertness and attentiveness, neverending devotion on behalf of the commissioner (the person represented by the figure) 

• Rigid straightforward pose with folded hands.

Content: figurine with large black limestone eyes

• Ancient  Sumer in Tell Asmar

• Many of these figures found buried in temples

Context: