wall panel; relief

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Object Type: wall panel; relief
Museum number: 124855
Description: Gypsum wall panel relief: the king has grabbed a spear from an attendant and drives it into wounded lion that is biting the wheel of the chariot. One attendant holds the royal bow, while another holds spear ready. Lions are released from cages into the arena, one by one, and men on horses drive or lure them to the king's chariot; the king shoots them; death agonies are realistically shown. Some tails were originally carved too long and have been shortened.
Authority
Cultures/periods
Production date: 645BC-635BC
Excavator/field collector: Excavated by: Hormuzd Rassam; Excavated by: Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson; Excavated by: William Kennett Loftus
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot: North Palace (Nineveh), Room C Panel 25
Materials
Dimensions: Length: 160.02 centimetres (approx); Width: 132.08 centimetres (approx)
Curator's comments: In set with BM.124904-124915 (all 1856,0909.14) In set with BM.124850-124857 (all 1856,0909.15)
Bibliographic references: Barnett 1976 / Sculptures from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh (668-627 B.C) (p.38, pls.XII & XIII); Hall H R 1928a / Babylonian and Assyrian Sculpture in the British Museum (pls.XLVII-IX)
Location: On display (G10a/sC)
Subjects: mammal; king/queen; arms/armour; attendant; charioteer/chariot
Associated names
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1856
Department: Middle East
BM/Big number: 124855
Registration number: 1856,0909.15
Additional IDs: Miscellaneous number: 38 (ex AS)
Conservation: Treatment: 18 Nov 1994; Treatment: 17 Jun 2001

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