Course: The Metropolitan Museum of Art > Unit 1
Lesson 9: Power- Tughra (Official Signature) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent from Istanbul
- Tiffany & Co., The Adams Vase
- Head of Tutankhamun from the Amarna Period of Egypt’s New Kingdom
- Pectoral and Necklace of Sithathoryunet with the Name of Senwosret II
- Relief panel from Assyria
- Two Panels with striding lions from Babylon
Relief panel from Assyria
Met curator Kim Benzel on repetition in Relief panel from Assyria, c. 883–859 B.C.E.
The palace rooms at Nimrud were decorated with large stone slabs carved in low relief, with brightly painted walls and ceilings and sculptural figures guarding the doorways. The throne room contained narrative scenes commemorating the military victories of Ashurnasirpal, while in other areas of the palace were protective figures and images of the king and his retinue performing ritual acts.
On this relief slab the king Ashurnasirpal II wears the royal crown, a conical cap with a small peak and a long diadem. He holds a bow, a symbol of his authority, and a ceremonial bowl. Facing him, a eunuch, a "beardless one," carries a fly whisk and a ladle for replenishing the royal vessel. The peaceful, perhaps religious character of the scene is reflected in the dignified composure of the figures.
View this work on metmuseum.org.
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- The video description indicates that palace walls and ceilings were brightly painted. Was this relief originally painted? If so, are there renderings showing what it would look like painted?(2 votes)
- You might be interested in this video from the Metropolitan Museum site. It's the digital reconstruction of a palace at Nimrud. The video is about 3 minutes long, and about halfway through, they show what one panel might have looked like painted:
http://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/video/collections/ancient-near-eastern-art/northwest-palace-nimrud(2 votes)