AN ASSYRIAN STYLE BURNT IVORY FURNITURE FRAGMENT, incised with a tribute scene, part of a procession of two offering-bearers, the leader with clenched fists held up in symbolic chains, both he and the following tribute bearer, who carries two helmets, wearing a soft 'cloth' turban, richly embroidered garment with striped fold hanging down the back, repaired, 2½ x 2¼in. (6.5 x 5.5cm.); and two burnt ivory furniture fragments each with a scene of an Assyrian bearded courtier wearing richly embroidered dress, one with a rosette panel, carrying a sword, one with pommelled handle, the leading figure with folded hands in a gesture of obeisance, with border of crosshatched crenellations above and below and a dowel hole in the upper right corner, repaired, 3¾in. (9.5cm.) and 3½in. (8.6cm.) high, 1in. 2.5cm. wide max., all 9th Century B.C. (3)

Details
AN ASSYRIAN STYLE BURNT IVORY FURNITURE FRAGMENT, incised with a tribute scene, part of a procession of two offering-bearers, the leader with clenched fists held up in symbolic chains, both he and the following tribute bearer, who carries two helmets, wearing a soft 'cloth' turban, richly embroidered garment with striped fold hanging down the back, repaired, 2½ x 2¼in. (6.5 x 5.5cm.); and two burnt ivory furniture fragments each with a scene of an Assyrian bearded courtier wearing richly embroidered dress, one with a rosette panel, carrying a sword, one with pommelled handle, the leading figure with folded hands in a gesture of obeisance, with border of crosshatched crenellations above and below and a dowel hole in the upper right corner, repaired, 3¾in. (9.5cm.) and 3½in. (8.6cm.) high, 1in. 2.5cm. wide max., all 9th Century B.C. (3)

Lot Essay

Item one: Semitic tribute-bearers could be from Syria or Israel. The helmets brought as tribute are a type worn by Assyrians (cf. Jehu and the tribute bearers on the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III in J. Reade, Assyrian Sculpture, The British Museum, 1983, figs 62-63)

More from Antiquities

View All
View All