wall panel;
relief
- Museum number
- 124918
- Description
-
Gypsum wall relief panel; carved; presents three protective spirits, each carrying a small axe in his raised right hand and a wide-bladed dagger in the left, but traces indicate that originally there was a bow in the left hand. The bows have been erased, leaving slight depressions in the stone. This is clearly Assyrian work. The high, flat, horned crowns, possibly feathered at the top, are a grander version of the horned helmet worn by many other protective spirits. It has been suggested that these are three of the Sibitti, seven gods corresponding to the modern constellation of the Pleiades.
- Production date
- 645BC-640BC
- Dimensions
-
Height: 87 centimetres
-
Thickness: 7 centimetres (extant)
-
Width: 90 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- These three figures are all that survive of the decoration on the façade of Ashurbanipal's throne-room.
Bibliography:
R. D. Barnett, ‘Sculptures from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh’ (London, 1976), 48, pl. XXXVIII.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2018-2019 8 Nov - 24 Feb, London, BM, I am Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria
2011 28 March-26 June, Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, 'Splendours of Mesopotamia'
2008-2009 21 Sept-4 Jan, Boston, MFA, 'Art and Empire'
2007 2 Apr-30 Sept, Alicante, MARQ Museum, 'Art and Empire'
2006 1 Jul-7 Oct, Shanghai Museum, 'Art and Empire'
- Acquisition date
- 1856
- Department
- Middle East
- BM/Big number
- 124918
- Registration number
- 1856,0909.41
