wall panel;
relief
- Museum number
- 124531
- Description
-
King Ashurnasirpal appears twice, dressed in ritual robes and holding the mace symbolising authority. In front of him there is a Sacred Tree, possibly symbolising life, and he makes a gesture of worship to a god in a winged disc. The god, who may be the sun god Shamash, has a ring in one hand; this is an ancient Mesopotamian symbol of god-given kingship. There are protective spirits on either side behind the king. This symmetrical scene, heavy with symbolism, was placed behind the royal throne. There was another opposite the main door of the throne room, and similar scenes occupied prominent positions in other Assyrian palaces; they were also embroidered on the royal clothes.. Traces of colour pigment noted on the sandals at the time of excavation, i.e. red soles and black uppers.
- Production date
- 865BC-860BC
- Dimensions
-
Height: 195 centimetres (in total)
-
Width: 432.80 centimetres (in total)
- $Inscriptions
-
- Inscription subject
royal
- Curator's comments
-
There was another of these opposite the main door of throneroom and in other palaces and the scene would have been represented on royal clothes.
In set with 1849,1222.4-5
In set with 1850,1228.24-26
-
Moulded as a commercially available cast (listed in the BM Facsimile Service, Catalogue of Replicas). The cast is listed as available in the British Museum Facsimile Service 'Catalogue of Replicas from British Museum collections' (n.d.), in the series "Assyrian Bas-Reliefs".
- Location
- On display (G7)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
Nimrud Gallery
- Acquisition date
- 1849
- Acquisition notes
- Found by Layard May 1846; packed into five cases on a raft despatched from Nimrud April 1847; three cases were shipped on the Indian Navy sloop 'Clive' June 1848, reaching Bombay October that year and then brought to England on H.M.S. Meeanee in August 1849; the two remaining cases were shipped direct to England on the 'Apprentice' in August 1848, arriving January 1849.
- Department
- Middle East
- BM/Big number
- 124531
- Registration number
- 1849,0502.15
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: NG.2 (ex Nimrud Gallery)
