Eye idol

Key Dates
3500
BC

Thought to date from Middle to Late Uruk, 3500–3100 B.C., it was given to the Museum as a gift of Colt Archaeological Institute Inc. in 1988

Thousands of this type of figurine, which is made of stone and has incised eyes, has been excavated at Tell Brak. The building in which they were found is now called the Eye Temple.

Thought to be offerings, many of the figures are incised with multiple sets of eyes, others with jewellery, and still others with representations of "children" - having smaller eyes and body carved on the body of the larger idol.
 

Origin & Collection
On display at: 
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Reference Number: 
1988.323.8
Physical properties
Width: 
2.60cm
Height: 
3.60cm
Materials: 
Alabaster
Images
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