| Statue of Ashurnasirpal II | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Material | Magnesite |
| Height | 113 cm |
| Width | 32 cm |
| Depth | 15 cm |
| Created | 883-859 B.C.E. |
| Period/culture | Neo-Assyrian period |
| Present location | British Museum,London |
| Identification | ME 118871 |
| Period | Iron Age |
| Culture | Neo-Assyrian |
TheStatue of Ashurnasirpal II is a rare example ofAssyrian sculpture in the round that was found in the mid nineteenth century at the ancient site of Kalhu (now known asNimrud) by the famous archaeologistAusten Henry Layard. Dating from 883–859 BC, the statue has long been admired for its flawless condition and the high quality of its craftsmanship. It has been part of theBritish Museum's collection since 1851.[1][2][3]
The statue was originally placed in the Temple ofIshtar to remind the deity of the king's piety.[3] It is made ofmagnesite, and the originalpedestal upon which it stood is made of a reddish stone.[3] Both of these materials are not found locally, so they were probably transported back to Nimrud after a military campaign abroad. Layard found the statue and pedestal in its original location in 1850. Within a year of its discovery, the sculpture had been dispatched toLondon.
The statue showsAshurnasirpal without his Assyrian crown allowing the viewer to see the king's hair and beard which he wore fashionably long. Commentators note the statue's beard is more impressive than that which an average Assyrian would have found practical. The king's torso is covered by a short-sleeved tunic and a shawl. In his right hand he appears to hold a kind ofsickle; in Assyrian religion gods were sometimes depicted using the sickle as weapon to fight monsters. In the king's left hand he clasps amace, which symbolized the authority vested in him as vice-regent of the supreme godAshur.[4]
Across the king's chest there is an eight-linecuneiform inscription which proclaims his titles and genealogy, and mentions a military campaign he led from the riverTigris toMount Lebanon and the 'Great Sea', which is assumed to be theMediterranean Sea.
