Kneeling Winged Deity by the Sacred Tree
Kneeling Winged Deity by the Sacred Tree. Assyrian (Nimrud) 875 BCE. Alabaster bas-relief of a kneeling figure. Palace of Assurnazir-pal at Ninevah, Assyria.
The Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (ruled 883-859 BCE.) filled his palace with intricate relief carvings that show the prosperity of his lands. In this panel, a majestic winged deity kneels and pollinates a date palm with his finger. With this simple gesture, the supernatural being ensures the fertility of Ashurnasirpal's reign while symbolically conferring his blessings over the entire kingdom.
Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 113, Case 40.
Ancient Mediterranean Art.
Object number 56.49.1.
IMG_3783
Kneeling Winged Deity by the Sacred Tree
Kneeling Winged Deity by the Sacred Tree. Assyrian (Nimrud) 875 BCE. Alabaster bas-relief of a kneeling figure. Palace of Assurnazir-pal at Ninevah, Assyria.
The Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (ruled 883-859 BCE.) filled his palace with intricate relief carvings that show the prosperity of his lands. In this panel, a majestic winged deity kneels and pollinates a date palm with his finger. With this simple gesture, the supernatural being ensures the fertility of Ashurnasirpal's reign while symbolically conferring his blessings over the entire kingdom.
Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 113, Case 40.
Ancient Mediterranean Art.
Object number 56.49.1.
IMG_3783