Sumerian Votive Figures

Created from limestone, votive figures revealed an aspect of Sumerian religious art. These figures were part of a devotional practice and dedicated to the gods in which individual worshipers would sculpt themselves as a figure and place it in a temple or shrine before a larger, more complex image of god. The intention was that the replica of the figure, being the worshiper it was meant to represent, would constantly be under the eye of God. It’s this act of worship that explains the universal stance of each votive figure. Each figure is positioned in the same respectful way with their hands clasped, yet because they were meant to signify the worshiper who sculpted them, they vary in heights, faces, and shapes. Despite this however, they each follow conventions important in Sumerian art (Art History, Chapter 2)

Despite their simple way of living, Sumerians were very

Speiser and Charles Bache in 1937. The sculptor of this male statue, similar to other votive figures, used shape and line to accurately convey the purpose of its formation. There is an intense amount of detail within this statue. Standing at 23.2 cm, the small height makes it clear that this was an individual worshiper (Penn Museum). It is shaped similar to other votive figures, aligning with the most commonly portrayal of Sumerian art through the figures heavy legs, broad shoulders, stocky figure, bare chest, long hair, and a beard that has been chiseled off. The emphasis of the shoulders draws viewers attention to upper body and face. The tense stance shows strength, strain, and attention. The eyebrows are emphasized by carving into the face, and the same holds true for the eyes, only to a greater depth to make them sink in. His hands are clasped in front of him in respect and he is positioned upright with an attentive stance. This follows the Sumerian texts that advise worshipers to approach their gods with an attentive