A MESOPOTAMIAN SPECKLED STONE FROG AMULET

CIRCA 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.

Details

A MESOPOTAMIAN SPECKLED STONE FROG AMULET
circa 3rd millennium b.c.
Carved with the stylized legs folded below, the head angled up, both bulging eyes drilled in the center, the mouth incised
¾ in. (1.9 cm.) long

Lot Essay

Frogs were considered symbols of fertility in Mesopotamia. Additionally, they played a part in divination rites, and were associated with Ea, goddess of the underworld waters. For a similar frog in hematite see no. 4 in Kozloff, ed., Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection.