Similarities Between Memi And Sabu

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the similarities and differences in the artistic design and function of two pieces of given works, the statue of Memi and Sabu, and the Seated Statue of Gudea. In this paper I will look at where they come from, the assumed intended purpose and the lasting fascination with objects from the past. Looking at the Statue of Memi and Sabu, we can see visually it is from the Egyptian era, according to the website given we see it is made of “carved limestone” (The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.)). It shows a woman and a man side by side, holding each other. Looking at the other statue, the statue of Gudea is from Mesopotamia, made out of “carved Diorite” (The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.)). It shows the figure Gudea seated on a pedestal with an inscription, it says…[T] “the various temples that he built or renovated in Lagash and names the statue itself” (The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.)).
In comparison, the statues are both built from stone, designed to last into the ages of time.
They both depict images of human figures, and both have inscriptions. They both seem to have been carved by great craftsmen due to the detail and quality of work. In contrast, one is of a man and a woman, the other of a single figure. One has figures standing, and the other seated. In looking at their intended purpose with the figure of the man and woman, as most historians know in ancient Egypt, that figures were often placed in the tombs with the burial of the deceased loved ones. This was done to assure their spirit passing on in the afterlife. As with the other figure it was to show power and reign over a dominion. We know that due to the inscription given on the statue. Also of it being of the Mesopotamian figure Gudea, whom was a king in
Mesopotamia. These figures as well as most sculptures are meant to span the test of time. We can see that in the Pyramids at Giza, built from stone and still standing for the ages. We wonder how those massive blocks could be moved, and how people in the past could build such things. Looking at these statues it makes us wonder how they could carve such amazing things, and have them last for so long. They make us wonder, and briefly give us a look into our past, of a society that we all think of as a backward, but in many instances they were just as advanced as us. In my opinion this is why we have such a fascination with objects from our past, they help us all to remember where we came from and what is possible.