Boundary Stone

Title:

Boundary Stone

Date:

1099-1082 BCE (Middle Babylonian)

Description:

A "kudurru," the Akkadian term for boundary stone, combines images of the king, gods, and divine symbols with a text recording royal grants of land and tax exemption to an individual. While the original was housed in the temple, a copy of the document was kept at the site of the land in question. This example was found at the temple of Esagila, the primary sanctuary of the god Marduk. The king Marduk-nadin-ahe is depicted with his left hand raised in front of his face; he wears the tall Babylonian feathered crown and an elaborately decorated garment with a honeycomb pattern. On the top are a sun disk, star, crescent moon, and scorpion, representing deities who witnessed the land grant and tax exemption. A snake-dragon deity emerges from a row of altars shaped like temple façades along the back.For the latest information about this object, boundary stones, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: [Inscription] On reverse; fragmentary, partially preserving the names of four witnesses.Reign: Marduk-nadin-ahe (1099-1082 BC)Style:

Type:

sculpture

Type (Narrower):

Sculptures

Type (Broader):

Object

Subject:

Culture: Babylonian

Provenance:

[Excavated by German expedition at Babylon, 1900]. Dikran Kelekian, Paris and New York, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1922, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Medium:

stone

Extent:

Dimensions: 11 x 8 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (28 x 21 x 10.8 cm)

Rights:

Public Domain

Identifier:

21.10

Is part of:

ANE
Ancient Art

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