A NEO-ASSYRIAN RED SERPENTINE PAZUZU AMULET

CIRCA 8TH-7TH CENTURY B.C.

Details

A NEO-ASSYRIAN RED SERPENTINE PAZUZU AMULET
CIRCA 8TH-7TH CENTURY B.C.
The demon grimacing revealing two rows of teeth, with leonine features including a thick bearded mane crosshatched along the jaw line, and a feline nose, the brows protruding above the bulging eyes, the tapering horns slung back from the forehead, chevrons along the front of the long tapering neck, perforated vertically
1 9/16 in. (4 cm.) high

Provenance

German Private Collection, 1980.

Lot Essay

Amulets of the demon Pazuzu, son of the west wind, were worn by women in childbirth for protection against the female demon Lamashtu, who was feared for her attacks on newly born babies. For related amulets see nos. 63-64 in Curtis and Reade, eds., Art and Empire, Treasures from Assyria in the British Museum.

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