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.