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Head of a man

Mesopotamia; Neo-Sumerian, c. 2050 BC

Quartzite

H. 23.5cm; W. 18cm; D. 21cm

This portrait was first identified as Gudea, ruler of Lagash. This city-state produced a number of royal portraits used to represent the king in temples. More recently, it has been suggested that this head represents Shulgi, an early king of Ur celebrated for his enlightenment.

© The Al Thani Collection