Warka Vase

One of the earliest pieces of narrative relief sculpture found, this alabaster stone vase depicts the area in which it was found. It is believed to be part of the temple adornment for the goddess Inanna. The three tiers of carving on the vase's surface work together to describe a procession, ending in the very temple in which the vase was found. The first tier depicts the vegetation of the Delta region, the second a procession of livestock and nude humans in profile view, and then finally this procession arrives at the feet of Inanna who receives a bowl from one of the nudes and is flanked by a waiting priest.