Like some of the other statuettes found in Mari's temples, this one has an inscription on its back, witten in a vertical row of seven squares, which enables us to identify the person represented. It reads: "Salim, the oldest brother of the king, the god of the land, his statue to the goddess Ninni-Zaza has been dedicated". Surprisingly few of the statuettes discovered in Mari's temples represent the king or members of the royal family. In this case, the person could be identified, but without such inscriptions identification is almost impossible, for the sculptors followed an established model not only for the general pose, but also for the facial features. The face is usually shown as smiling and serene, in a very idealized manner.
Provenance: Mari.
Era: Early Bronze Age (circa 2500 BCE).
Substance: gypsum.
Dimensions: 46 x 18 x 20 cm.
Text: Michel Fortin (p. 280).
Photography: Jacques Lessard.
Collection of the National Museum of Damascus.
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