Eye idol

Unknown

ca. 3700–3500 BCE · Gypsum alabaster · Ancient Near Eastern Art

This type of figurine known as an eye idol, made of stone and having incised eyes, has been excavated at Tell Brak, where thousands were found in a building now called the Eye Temple. They were probably dedicated there as offerings. Many are incised with multiple sets of eyes, others with jewelry, and still others with representations of "children"—smaller eyes and body carved on the body of the larger idol. Wide eyes demonstrate attentiveness to the gods in much of Mesopotamian art.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 3700–3500 BCE

Medium

Gypsum alabaster

Department

Ancient Near Eastern Art

Credit line

Gift of The Institute of Archaeology, The University of London, 1951