The statue of Memi and Sabu, who are hypothesized to be a married couple as most statues depicting a man and woman together typically meant there was a marital relation between the two, shows a man and a woman with their arms around each other as they stand on a platform with hieroglyphics. The statue has its origins in Egypt, where it was believed that statues could act as a vessel for spirits to enter in order to reap the benefits of gifts and offerings. Most likely the purpose of this statue is to provide Memi and Sabu a vessel when they have passed. …show more content…
The statue is posed in such a way that implies Gudea is seated before his followers, the clasped position of his hands signifying a traditional gesture of greeting. There is also an inscription on this statue, which lists the temples that Gudea had built. This statue is meant to honor Gudea and the grand deeds he had done by preserving his legacy and listing the temples whose building he was responsible