Ebih-Il, of Mari
Secret Treasures of the Richelieu Wing
Statue of the nu-banda Ebih-Il
About 2400 BC
This intense blue gaze in lapis lazuli against a background of shell underlined with black clay is that of Ebih-Il. Around 2340 BC, he was a ‘nu-banda’ or superintendent, an important position including political and military responsibilities. He worked in Mari, in present-day Syria, in an era when the Eastern world was organised into realms ruled by princes or kings.
Ebih-Il wears a kaunakès, a skirt with long tufts of wool, worn by both men and women. He is seated, his hands joined, in a praying or orant position.
This type of statue was set up in temples in order to perpetuate an act of devotion towards a divinity. Scale and dimensions of these statues vary according to the wealth of the commissioner. That of Ebih-Il is of extraordinary quality and in an excellent state of preservation.
Dedication
An inscription may be seen on his shoulder: Ebih-Il dedicated this statue to Ishtar Virile, the goddess of love. Ishtar is one of the most important divinities in the mythology of the Ancient East.