Standing warrior

Unknown

ca. late 3rd millennium BCE · Copper · Ancient Near Eastern Art

Standing with arms bent and extended, this figure has distinctive elongated proportions, a pointed head with long braided hair, and a bearded oval face with large eyes (originally inlaid). He once held weapons in his hands, perhaps a spear and mace, and wears a knee-length kilt and a wide belt with long tassel ties. The feet have sandals and the tangs on the bottom served to attach the figure to a stand or other furniture, perhaps in a temple. The figure may represent a hero or even a deity, although he does not wear distinguishing headgear such as horns or a crown. The statuette is impressive for its size, larger than most bronze examples of its type. The style of the figure is related to early third millennium bronzes found near Antioch in Syria, and it may be a later example in the same tradition.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. late 3rd millennium BCE

Medium

Copper

Department

Ancient Near Eastern Art

Credit line

Gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust, 1989