Votive cone with cuneiform inscription of Gudea

Art Historical Context

This delicate clay votive cone, dating to around 2090 BCE, hails from the Neo-Sian period in ancient Mesopotamia, a time of renewed cultural and architectural splendor under rulers like Gudea of Lagash. Shaped like a slender cone—measuring just 2⅝ inches long and ⅛ inches in diameter—it as a sacred offering, likely placed in a temple foundation to honor the gods. The surface bears a cuneiform inscription dedicating the cone, a common practice among Mesopotamian elites to proclaim their piety and commemorate building projects, ensuring divine favor for their legacies. Crafted from fired clay, ...