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Queen of the Night, 1800-1750 BC

The Burney Relief (also known as the "Queen of the Night" relief) is a Mesopotamian terracotta plaque in high relief of the Old Babylonian period, depicting a winged, nude, goddess figure with bird talons, flanked by owls, and perched upon supine lions. Apart from its distinctive iconography, the piece is noted for its high relief and relatively large size, which suggests that is was used as a cult relief, which makes it a very rare survival from the period. However, whether it represents Lilith, Inanna/Ishtar, Ereshkigal, or the Sumerian female demon Lilitu is under debate. The frontal presentation of the deity is appropriate for a plaque of worship. The horned crown is the most general symbol of a deity in Mesopotamian art. Circa 1800 and 1750 BC.
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Title:
Queen of the Night, 1800-1750 BC
Caption:
The Burney Relief (also known as the "Queen of the Night" relief) is a Mesopotamian terracotta plaque in high relief of the Old Babylonian period, depicting a winged, nude, goddess figure with bird talons, flanked by owls, and perched upon supine lions. Apart from its distinctive iconography, the piece is noted for its high relief and relatively large size, which suggests that is was used as a cult relief, which makes it a very rare survival from the period. However, whether it represents Lilith, Inanna/Ishtar, Ereshkigal, or the Sumerian female demon Lilitu is under debate. The frontal presentation of the deity is appropriate for a plaque of worship. The horned crown is the most general symbol of a deity in Mesopotamian art. Circa 1800 and 1750 BC.
Personalities:
Credit:
Album / Science Source / New York Public Library
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
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Image size:
3300 x 4378 px | 41.3 MB
Print size:
27.9 x 37.1 cm | 11.0 x 14.6 in (300 dpi)
Keywords: