Sumerian Art

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Bronze Age Ax

Gold bull amulet

Calcite jar

Cosmetic box with lid, inlaid with lapis lazuli, silver and shell

Queen Puabi’s elaborate headdress

A great lyre, one of the oldest musical instruments known, has a sound box that is ornamented with the head of a bull, which is made of gold and lapis lazuli.

A lyre detail from the royal cemetary at Ur, ca. 2600 B.C. showing a bull's head of gold and lapis lazuli. Partially restored (London: British Museum).

A vessel in the form of an ostrich egg; gold, lapis lazuli, red limestone, shell and bitumen.

“Ram Caught in a Thicket”

The so-called "Standard of Ur," which was an inlaid work found crushed in a royal tomb at Ur. Ca. 2600 B.C. The original shape and purpose of this object is unknown, but depicted a victory celebration at court. Drinking wine with musical accompaniment; bringing food and booty to court (London: British Museum).

A detail from the "Standard of Ur" showing a fisherman.

A support in the form of a ram made of gold, lapis lazuli, etc. on a wooden core. From the royal tomb at Ur. Ca. 2600 B.C. It symbolizes fertility. 50 cm. (London: British Museum).

Sumerian Man

Harpist

War Horse

Harp