Ebih-Il, the Superintendent
of Mari
Mari, (Middle Euphrates):Temple of Ishtar
Around 2400 BC
Statuette, alabaster
H 0.52 m
AO 17551
Description
"Civilization of the Sumerian type dominated the whole of
Semite Mesopotamia, particularly Mari, modern day Tell Hariri in
Syria, explored from 1933 onwards by André Parrot, and in our own
time by Jean Margueron. Here, statuary developed rapidly from the
middle of the third millennium, and with a marked originality in
comparison with the South. A cheerful optimism distinguishes it
sharply from the severe expressions connected to the angular
stylization of the preceding epoch, illustrated by the statuette of
Ginak. The "superintendent" was in fact more the
equivalent of a Minister of Finance. He had himself portrayed in the
fur skirt which is rendered with remarkable realism revealing the
"kaunakès" in the style shown for example on the Urnanshe
relief."
- Louvre