An Exhibition of Ancient Mesopotamian Art

The square plaque made for inlay into furniture or, perhaps, a musical instrument is incised with the figure of a standing bald-headed priest walking to the right and leading a long-horned bull. The priest grasps the bull by its head. Perhaps a ritual scene in a temple is represented here. Four large unopened floral buds decorate the background. A finely executed miniature artwork, this was once part of a luxury item. The original pearl, pink and turquoise colors of the mother-of-pearl shell are still vibrant.