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Assyrian Ashurnsirpal Relief
Assyrian Ashurnsirpal Relief from Nimrud, 865 B.C., can now be found at the British Museum. This section of wall relief was behind the king's throne and depicts a ritual involving a tree. Another panel with the same scene was opposite the center doorway of the throne room. The king is shown twice, on either side of a symbolic tree. On the left and on the right is an apkallu. This relief is made from compound stone with an antique sandstone finish. It measures 24”W x 13”H. M-003S, $93.00
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The Assyrian Protective Spirit
Also known as the Apkallu human. Originally from Nimrud, 865 B.C., it can now be found at the British Museum. This is a 'wise man' or 'sage'. Babylonian tradition says that there were seven Apkallu who lived at the beginning of time before the flood. They were sent by the god Ea to teach wisdom to humans. They are shown as humans with wings. Some have the head of a bird, while others don't have wings and are dressed in the skin of a fish. They protected people and sometimes hold a bucket and cone for purifying. An Apkallu protected the king and those in the palace from evil spirits. Apkallu figures are often shown beside doorways and in corners of rooms. Made from compound stone with an antique sandstone finish. Measures 18”H x 8.5”W. M-001S, $71
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Assyrian Eagle Protective Spirit
Also known as Apkallu griffin. Originally from 865 B.C., it can now be found at the New York Metropolitan Museum. This is a 'wise man' or 'sage'. Babylonian tradition says that there were seven Apkallu who lived at the beginning of time before the flood. They were sent by the god Ea to teach wisdom to humans. They are shown as humans with wings. Some have the head of a bird, while others don't have wings and are dressed in the skin of a fish. They protected people and sometimes hold a bucket and cone for purifying. Apkallu figures are often shown beside doorways and in corners of rooms since these areas were where evil spirits were thought to lurk. This relief is made from compound stone with an antique sandstone finish. It measures 18”H x 8.5”W. M-002S, $71
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Assyrian Hunting Relief
Assyrian Ashurbanipal Hunting Relief Large. This relief was found in the Ashurbanipal Palace, Nineveh. It is from 645 B.C. and can now be found in the British Museum. Made from compound stone with an antique sandstone finish.
Large -- 27.5” W x 22”H -- M-004S, $253
Small -- 17.5”W x 14.5”H -- M-005S, $57
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A cylinder seal is a cylinder engraved with a 'picture story',
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| (Above photo and text) Mesopotamian limestone cylinder seal and impression—worship of Shamash, (Louvre). This sample is taken from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cylinder_seal
The Assyrian Leaping Stag cylinder seal Relief
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This Leaping Stags in a Landscape Relief is taken from a cylinder seal or roller stamp dating back to the Middle Assyrian period (ca. 13th century) from Mesopotamia. The relief is the impression one sees when the original cylinder seal is rolled across clay. Cylinder seals were engraved with visual stories about mythology, historical events and scenes from everyday life. Sometimes they were used to notarize documents. The cylinder seal was made of a hard material such as limestone, glass or ceramics. Later seals also included hieroglyphs. Original in the collection of the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, 1250 B.C. |
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Made from compound resin with stone with an antique sandstone finish. It measures 9”W x 2.5”H. M-006S, $21
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Beer Tablet Key Chain
This tablet is a receit, written in the Akkadian language of Mesopotamia, for the delivery of a large order of beer and beer related products. It dates to the Kassite Period, mid 13th century B.C. and was excavated at the site of Nippur (Iraq) at the turn of the century. This tablet is in the collection of the University Museum.
Front Reads:
40 and one half vessels of first quality beer
85 vessels of second quality beer
2 vessels of high quality beverage
1 vessel of second quality beverage
7 liters of "beer bread"
(given to) the son of Kubu-eresh
Reverse Reads:
(In the) month of Ululu
the 29th day
the 25th year (of an unnamed king)
(scribe:) Mr. Usat-Gula 6550, $8
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Early Sumerian Tablet
The Sumerians were the first to develop a writing system to keep track of things. This tablet is one of the first pieces of writing ever. This replica is an identical cast of the original at the Museum. It comes with a descriptive booklet.
Made from resin, measures 2.75" W x 2.75" H. 6551, $16
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