Stone Statue of Bau

This stone statue represents Bau, a prominent deity from the Sumerian pantheon, worshiped in ancient Mesopotamia around the 3rd millennium BCE. Bau was primarily regarded as a goddess of healing and protection, often associated with medicinal arts and the welfare of the community.
The statue typically depicts the goddess in a serene and upright posture, emphasizing her divine authority and benevolent nature. Carved with careful attention to facial features and attire, the sculpture reflects the artistic conventions of Sumerian statuary, combining stylized geometry with naturalistic details.
Such statues were likely placed in temples or shrines as objects of devotion, serving as intermediaries between worshippers and the divine.
This particular stone representation of Bau provides valuable insight into Sumerian religious practices, the role of female deities, and the artistry of early Mesopotamian civilization.