Perforated relief of King Ur-Nanshe
“Among the characteristic products of Early Dynastic Sumerian art are perforated plaques with a narrative motif in relief arranged in horizontal registers. The perforation in the middle was probably intended to allow the plaque to be fixed to the wall by a peg in the votive area of the shrine. This large plaque commemorates the religious activities of the king Ur-Nanshe, who founded the first dynasty of Lagash around 2500 BC. His reign saw the construction of a number of major buildings, including temples, among them the temple of Ningirsu, tutelary deity of the city of Girsu.
The decoration of the plaque thus shows the ruler, conventionally depicted larger in size, presiding over the ritual ceremonies connected with the construction of a shrine. At the top is a ceremony marking the start of construction, showing Ur-Nanshe carrying a basket of bricks on his head, accompanied by his wife and son and high officials. Beneath this he is shown goblet in hand, presiding over the banquet marking the opening of the new shrine. The correct performance of rituals lay at the heart of everyday life, for men had to maintain and serve the gods in exchange for the prosperity granted to them. The establishment and upkeep of great shrines was the prime duty of the ruler, the first among men.”Louvre Museum.