From Altintepe, 2,6 cm. high.

These masks (dated: late 8th century BC) were intended to be inserted into bronze figurines. Such a statuette was excavated in Toprakkale (near Van), having a face made of white stone instead of ivory.

In antiquity ivory was a very precious material, which is often mentioned in Assyrian annals as tribute or booty. The Urartu kingdom imported ivory (from elephants and hippopotamuses) from India, Nubia and Egypt, but most of all from Nothern Syria (where elephants were living at the time), together with artisans able to work it. It was used to produce decorative elements inserted in furniture, luxury objects (such as combs, seals and perfume boxes) and ritual offerings to temples (such as thrones, daggers and swords). The artisans worked in royal workshops, established in the palaces; their production followed the Urartian iconography, with plenty North-Syrian stylistic influence (more than in e.g. metalworking, which was fully indigenous).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen
Source: ‘Urartu, vergeten cultuur uit het bergland Armenië’ – Cataloog Tentoonstelling Gent okt ’82-jan ’83.