figure
- Museum number
- 123870
- Description
-
Fragmentary lead statuette of a standing male figure, possibly a dignitary, wearing a long fringed robe which is decorated with small squares inlaid with mosaic-glass plaques and larger squares inlaid with ivory plaques decorated with rosettes; the design consists of two horizontal rows of small squares alternating with two rows of larger squares into which ivory plaques were set at regular intervals; above the fringe are two rows of rectangles; on the shoulders and along the sleeves are set two parallel rows of small bronze bands and short horizontal bronze pieces set into the lead; a large fragment from the back of the head has almost vertical strands of hair divided by bronze bands and three horizontal rows of locks formed by small bronze rings; the small squares of the garment are inlaid with opaque red mosaic-glass plaques of varying size, many still in situ and decorated with a circle in white (D. 0.4 cm) with a red dot in the centre, and made by the cane technique; the fringe is inlaid with opaque red pieces of glass, each cast in a one-piece mould, and the locks with small balls of opaque blue glass; the strands of hair were probably also inlaid with blue glass; contains traces of a wooden core.
- Production date
- 8thC BC
- Dimensions
-
Thickness: 0.40 - 0.45 centimetres (inlay plaques)
-
Diameter: 0.60 - 0.80 centimetres (inlay plaques)
-
Diameter: 0.60 - 0.90 centimetres (inlay plaques)
-
Diameter: 0.70 centimetres (inlay plaques)
-
Height: 4 centimetres (head)
-
Height: 17.80 centimetres
-
Width: 5 centimetres (head)
- Curator's comments
- Qualitative X-ray fluorescence analysis by M. Bimson and I. Freestone indicates that the glass inlays were originally high-lead cuprite glasses (analysis published in Barag 1985a, p. 121).
Previously treated in metal conservation by C. Endersley from 4/8/93-10/8/93 according to WAA "objects to Conservation" book.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2018-2019 8 Nov-24 Feb, London, BM, I am Ashurbanipal, king of the world, king of Assyria
- Condition
- Restored; most of the red glass inlays have turned green; some of the lead fragments have buckled through accidental heating in antiquity.
- Acquisition date
- 1880
- Department
- Middle East
- BM/Big number
- 123870
- Registration number
- 1880,1216.46
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: W.8 (catalogue number)
- Joined objects
-
Joined Object Group: G10321 (4 objects)
