Detail View: The AMICA Library: Eye idol

AMICA ID: 
MMA_.1988.323.8
AMICA Library Year: 
2002
Object Type: 
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Description: 
This type of figurine, made of stone and having incised eyes, has been excavated at Tell Brak, where thousands were found in a building now called the Eye Temple. Many are incised with multiple sets of eyes, others with jewelry, and still others with representations of "children"?smaller eyes and body carved on the body of the larger idol. The idols are thought to be offerings?wide eyes demonstrate attentiveness to the gods in much Mesopotamian art .
Creator Nationality: 
Asian; Middle Eastern; Syrian
Creator Name-CRT: 
Excavated at Tell Brak, northeastern Syria
Title: 
Eye idol
View: 
Principal view
Creation Date: 
3500?3100 B.C.
Creation Start Date: 
0
Creation End Date: 
0
Materials and Techniques: 
Alabaster (gypsum)
Style or Period: 
middle?late Uruk period
Creation Place: 
Excavated at Tell Brak, northeastern Syria
Dimensions: 
H. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
AMICA Contributor: 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: 
New York, New York
ID Number: 
1988.323.8
Credit Line: 
Joint Expedition of the British Museum and the British School of Archaeology in Iraq Gift of The Colt Archaeological Institute Inc., 1988
Copyright: 
Copyright ? 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved.
Rights: 
Provenance: 
Excavated at Tell Brak, northeastern Syria
Related Image Identifier Link: 
MMA_.h1_1988.323.8.tif