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Fragment of a Wall Relief: Head of a Winged Protective Spirit
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Representing the head of a winged genie, or protective spirit, this relief fragment was part of the wall decoration of the throne room of King Ashurnasirpal II's Northwest Palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) in Iraq. Placed to the right of the throne base, the genie - wearing the horned cap of a deity - was probably performing a ritual. It was one of several representations of genies intended to ensure the protection of this important room. Across the genie's body ran Ashurnasirpal II's "standard inscription," giving the titles and the achievements of the Assyrian king. Hunt and battle scenes carved on the long walls of the room conveyed a similar message. The appearance of these reliefs was originally enhanced by paint. This particular fragment was presented by Sir Austen Henry Layard, the excavator of Nimrud, to his cousin, Lady Charlotte Guest, in 1848.
Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics
Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) Iraq. Excavated (between 1845-1847) [1]; by Sir Austen Henry Layard (by 1847-1848) gift; to Lady Charlotte Guest Schreiber [2] Merthyr Tydfil Wales (1848-1895) by inheritance; to Captain Vere Brabazon Ponsonby Ninth Earl of Bessborough [3] (by 1895-1938) sold; through [Sotheby's London December 20 1938 lot 119]; to [Spink and Son Ltd London] (1938-1940) sold; to Fogg Art Museum 1940.
[1] With negotiated permission from the Ottoman government to excavate and export finds Sir Austen Henry Layard (1817–1894) organized explorations of the Northwest Palace at Nimrud (Iraq) in two campaigns 1845–1847 and 1849–1851. This relief fragment was likely excavated in May or June 1846 when Layard's operation explored the Northwest Palace's throne room (Room B).
[2] John Malcolm Russell (1997) From Nineveh to New York p. 53. Lady Charlotte Guest Schreiber (1812-1895) was Layard's cousin patron and (eventually) mother-in-law.
[3] Captain Vere Brabazon Ponsonby Ninth Earl of Bessborough (1880-1956) was the grandson of Lady Charlotte Guest Schreiber.
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum Gift of Mrs. Percival Lombard Mrs. John Bartol Miss Dorothy Bartol Mr. and Mrs. Frederick R. Grace and the Alpheus Hyatt Purchasing Fund
Title: Fragment of a Wall Relief: Head of a Winged Protective Spirit
Description:
Representing the head of a winged genie, or protective spirit, this relief fragment was part of the wall decoration of the throne room of King Ashurnasirpal II's Northwest Palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) in Iraq.
Placed to the right of the throne base, the genie - wearing the horned cap of a deity - was probably performing a ritual.
It was one of several representations of genies intended to ensure the protection of this important room.
Across the genie's body ran Ashurnasirpal II's "standard inscription," giving the titles and the achievements of the Assyrian king.
Hunt and battle scenes carved on the long walls of the room conveyed a similar message.
The appearance of these reliefs was originally enhanced by paint.
This particular fragment was presented by Sir Austen Henry Layard, the excavator of Nimrud, to his cousin, Lady Charlotte Guest, in 1848.
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