An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Priest-King or Deityc. 1600 BCE
The Hittites migrated into Anatolia in the 3rd millennium BC and spoke an Indo-European language, a group that includes Greek, Latin, Persian, Sanskrit, English, and most modern European languages. They were the first ancient people to use iron for weapons. From about 1600–1200 BC their empire was at its peak, extending from central Anatolia to Syria, and south along the eastern Mediterranean. Their vast empire and interest in commerce enabled the Hittites to spread Mesopotamian ideas and culture throughout the ancient Mediterranean world. This large basalt sculpture is exceptionally rare in depicting a Hittite god or priest-king wearing a horned conical crown, false beard, and long robe. He holds a bowl in his right hand and once held something in his left, perhaps a staff or sword.
The left eye of the sculpture is the original bone inlay while the right eye is a modern restoration done after the piece was damaged.
basalt with bone eyes (left, ancient; right, restored)
Overall: 87.6 cm (34 1/2 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
In the quiet whispers of ancient history, a remarkable civilization took root in the sun-kissed region of Anatolia, nestled amidst towering mountains and rolling hills. It was the 3rd millennium BC when the Hittites first graced this land, migrating with dreams of a brighter future. Speaking an Indo-European language, their voices harmonized with those of their linguistic cousins—Greeks, Latins, Persians, Sanskrit speakers, and the many tongues of modern Europe.
These trailblazers were not just wanderers; they were innovators, the first in the ancient world to shape iron into weapons, forging a legacy that would change the course of human conflict and craftsmanship. Their empire blossomed like wildflowers in spring, reaching its zenith from around 1600 to 1200 BC. It stretched far and wide, from the heart of central Anatolia to the sun-drenched shores of Syria, spilling south along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean.
Amidst vast expanses of trade routes, the Hittites became conduits of culture, fusing Mesopotamian ideas with their unique traditions and sharing them across the ancient Mediterranean world. Each exchange was like a brushstroke on a masterpiece, weaving a complex tapestry of civilization.
In this rich backdrop, a large and exceptional basalt sculpture was born—a rare depiction of a Hittite deity or perhaps a revered priest-king. Adorned with a striking horned conical crown and a ceremonial false beard, he stands tall, wrapped in a flowing robe that whispers tales of grandeur. In his right hand, he delicately cradles a bowl, while his left arm, once graced with perhaps a mighty sword or a guiding staff, holds the promise of strength and wisdom.
This artwork is more than stone; it is a window to a time long past, where gods and men walked together, and every engraving tells a story of power, belief, and the enduring spirit of a people who once shaped a great empire. Each glance at this sculpture inspires us to delve deeper into the narratives that bind us to our ancient ancestors and the legacies they left behind.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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