Sumerian worshipper (Praying statuette)

Praying statues provide us with a snapshot of the ruling classes of the Sumerian society. This statuette is part of this sculptural trend, which was repeated for years in Mesopotamia and is characterised by the lack of thematic varieties, with dress and poses that are rarely updated. The statuette is standing in prayer, with its hands together, a shaved head and big empty eye sockets. At the time, there would have been mother of pearl and lapis lazuli embedded in the sockets, forming the eyes. Its long eyebrows, parallel to the upper eyelid, mark the base of the forehead. It has large ears, thin lips and the nose has been lost, making the face seem less expressive. The figure is characterised by geometric lines, with broad shoulders, a trapezoidal torso and disproportionately wide arms that lead to angular elbows that suddenly thin out. The statue’s feet are robust and square, and the figure stands on a mount that comes up from behind to about halfway up the skirt. The skirt, which could have been ceremonial or for daily use, was made by overlapping ruffles of goat’s or sheep’s wool.