Anonymous: The Burney Relief (19th-18th century BC)

 

(British Museum, London, UK)

A relief made by an unknown Mesopotamian artist. This clay relief is also known as the 'Queen of the Night relief'. The relief was first in the possession of a Syrian art dealer but was bought by the London antique dealer Sidney Burney (1878-1951). As the piece wasn't archaeologically excavated, it is unknown where it came from, or in which context it was discovered. The relief shows a winged naked woman with bird-feet who is standing on two male lions. On her head is a four-tiered headdress of horns and in each hand, she is holding a rod and ring symbol. The goddess is flanked by two owls. The identity of this goddess is not clear she could represent Ishtar/Inanna or Ereshkigal. A piece from 19th-18th century BC.