The Queen of the Night
Will be published approx. on 30. August 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
48 pages
978-0-7141-5043-7 (ISBN)
Description
A concise and beautifully designed book exploring the symbolism behind an exquisite Ancient Babylonian plaque found in southern Iraq. This spectacular terracotta plaque was the principal acquisition for the British Museum's 250th anniversary, and in 2004 was exhibited in various museums around the UK. Made between 1800 and 1859 BC, it is made from baked straw-tempered clay and modelled in high relief. It probably stood in a shrine and could represent the demoness Lilitu, known in the Bible as Lilith, or a Mesopotamian goddess. The figure wears the horned headdress characteristic of a Mesopotamian deity, and holds a rod and ring of justice, symbols of her divinity. Her long multi-coloured wings hang downwards, indicating that she is a goddess of the Underworld. The book explores the history and symbolism behind this beautiful and highly unusual relief.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
4 Illustrations, black and white; 15 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 209 mm
Width: 149 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight
122 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7141-5043-7 (9780714150437)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dominique Collon had special responsibility for the Queen of the Night as curator of the Mesopotamian collections in the British Museum. She was also curator of the Anatolian collections, and of seals of the Ancient Near East. She is the author of Ancient Near Eastern Art, First Impressions: Cylinder Seals in the Ancient Near East, Interpreting the Past: Near Eastern Seals and two catalogues of the cylinder seals in the British Museum's collection.