The Goddess at the centre of this month's altar is a bit of a mystery. Her image comes from an alleged Mesopotamian / Sumerian / Babylonian ancient plaque of uncertain provenance, said to date from 1800-1750 BCE. The plaque first came to public attention in the 1930s when an antiquities dealer tried to sell it to the British Museum, which declined to buy it. Known as the "Burney Relief," the plaque remained in the hands of private collectors until later loaned to the British Museum. Despite ongoing questions around its authenticity, the British Museum did finally purchase the popular plaque in 2003, renaming it the "Queen of the Night Relief."
Scholars disagree with each other about who is depicted. By reason of her crown, handheld symbols of power, and standing on the backs of lions, some say she must be Ishtar, the Great Goddess of Babylon. Others theorize for similar reasons that she is the Mesopotamian / Sumerian goddess Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth, or even (because of the wings) her sister and nemesis Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld.
A fourth group of scholars point to her wings, bird feet and talons, and flanking owls to argue instead that she is, in fact, a representation of the Sumerian Goddess / Night Demon, Lilith.
Whoever this Goddess is meant to be, I purchased her charming statue from Sacred Source about 25 years ago. (Alas, the online store no longer sells this reproduction). When I bought the statue, it had a natural terra-cotta clay colour, just like the original Burney Relief. Instinctively, I felt that such an earthy colour did not do this Goddess justice, so I immediately spray-painted her silver.
And when the time came to construct this altar to honour the Queen of the Night, I chose to use a colour scheme limited to silver and black.
Because, after all, what is more beautiful, awesome and mysterious than the bright silver stars in the pitch black night sky?
[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2026]
26 comments:
She looks regal indeed. It would be really interesting to know who she is, but I don’t suppose that is possible.
...the moon sure put on a show here.
Where I come from, a full moon can get you in trouble with the authorities.
After your Lilith post, she came to mind immediately.
Silver suits her very much!
Nice altar! This goddess reminds me a bit of the Indian goddess Parvati.
She is magnificient! You did right making her silver ~
bobbie
She has to be silver, Debra.
Fantastic!
That is beautiful! I was expecting Whitney Houston for some reason?
Thanks for the history of the plaque...and what a great little statue made in replica of it. Your altar is just right for the beginning of our descent into darkness, the time of inner workings.
Oh, may I borrow your photo of just the statue and give attribution to both you and the source?
the night that i name my owl furrend lilith she came by for a breef hoo hoo hoo
LOVE the altar and the goddess. My vote is still to Ishtar.
They have tried to diminish the Goddess, regardless of her name, for thousands of years. And still she persists.
Hello Debra, Your Queen of the Night altar has a cool effect. The goddess appears to be in heaven, looking down on the stars, the way we look down on the clouds from an airplane. I just read the Wikipedia article you linked--very interesting. I wonder how much the 1933 price was compared to the 1.5 million pounds in 2003. Of course, in 1933 the museum was offered a questionable sculpture, but in 2003 purchased a world-famous one, so perhaps that was the better buy.
--Jim
A mystery Goddess! How perfect for the spooky season! She definitely has all the symbols of power. Love how you anchored Her to the Night.
So much lore connected to vibrant things.
@ Barbara Rogers -- Of course! Help yourself!
@ Parnassus (Jim) -- I agree with your final sentence! That is my take on the situation too. The provenance is still as murky as it was in 1933 but now everyone knows and loves this piece, so who cares, LOL.
Thanks...and I'll link to your good post here as well. History of an artifact is also interesting as that which it is designed to honor.
Good choice to paint your Lilith goddess silver... gold would have looked too much like Marlene Dietrich in "Kismet", LOL!
She is beautiful and I like that you spray painted her. I think the silver is much better. Wow! 25 years ago! Thank you for sharing her with us.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I like it.
What a neat altar, Debra!
Who ever she is. She definitely emits power
Another beautiful alter
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