Khafaje (Mesilim period) : Statuette of woman, from "Sin" temple IX, 1st half of 3rd millennium

The somewhat softer facial features, the faintly smiling mouth and the bell-shaped skirt place this work on the border of the Fara-Ur I style. Left elbow is restored. Smiling composure and good humour which prove that the age of abject apprehension of the gods was ended. See also : Eva Strommenger, The Art of Mesopotamia, translated by Christina Haglund, London, Thames & Hudson, 1964, Illustrations 57-59. -- Gypseous stone, the left eye is shell inlaid in bitumen, the right one is restored, h : 29 cm (Iraq Museum)