Assyrian sculpture and Balawat Gates (Room 6)
11th – 8th centuries BC
Eye-opener gallery tour / Free / Daily, 15.45 (for
30–40 minutes)
Large stone sculptures and reliefs were a striking feature of the palaces and temples of ancient Assyria (modern northern Iraq). An entrance to the royal palace of King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BC) at Nimrud was flanked by two colossal winged human-headed lions. A gigantic standing lion stood at the entrance to the nearby Temple of Ishtar, the goddess of war.
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Colossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC
More informationColossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC
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Statue of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC
More informationStatue of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC
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The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, 858-824 BC
More informationThe Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, 858-824 BC
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Stone panel from the Central Palace of Tiglath-pileser III, 730-727 BC
More informationStone panel from the Central Palace of Tiglath-pileser III, 730-727 BC
These sculptures are displayed in Rooms 6a and 6b alongside fragments and replicas of the huge bronze gates of Shalmaneser III (858-824 BC) from Balawat.
A Black Obelisk also on display shows the same king receiving tribute from Israel and is displayed with obelisks and stelae (vertical inscribed stone slabs) from four generations of Assyrian kings.