Guardian Figure

CultureAssyrian
Titles
  • Guardian Figure
Date883–859 BC
MediumGypsum
Dimensionsrelief: 42 1/8 × 26 × 1 1/2 inches (107 × 66 × 3.8 cm)
width of stone and attached backing material: 2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)

130 lbs.
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Agnes Cullen Arnold Endowment Fund
Object number80.53
Current Location
The Caroline Wiess Law Building
200 Brown Gallery
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Antiquities
Object Type
ProvenanceFound during excavations at Nimrud, Iraq, by Sir Henry Layard, c. 1840s–1853; purchased by Dudley Francis Stuart Ryder (1831–1900), Lord Sandon, 3rd Earl of Harrowby, Sandon Hall, Linconshire, 1853–1900; by inheritance to his younger brother, Henry Ryder (1836–1900), 4th Earl of Harrowby, 1900; by inheritance to his son, John Herbert Ryder (1864–1956), 5th Earl of Harrowby, 1900–1956; by inheritance to his son, Dudley Ryder (1892–1987), 6th Earl of Harrowby, 1956–1980; sold through [Robin Symes, Limited, London, 1980]; purchase by MFAH, 1980.
Exhibition History

Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
The inscription at the top of this panel is one which occurs repeatedly on the panels of the palace of Assurnasirpal II, proclaiming him as the Great King, ruler of the World:
"I placed doors of cedar, cypress, dapranu and meskannu in its doorways. I took in great quantities of put therein silver, gold, tin, bronze, iron and booty from the countries over which I gained dominion." (translation by Andre F. Conradie)

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

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Gold and diamonds
2004.2261
Pectoral
18th–19th century
Gold
2006.540
Diviner's Tapper, Iroke Ifa
18th century
Ivory with dark wood inlay
2016.106
Ring
1895–1905
Gold
97.1159
Chief's Betel Leaf Bag
18th–19th century
Gold
2004.2291
Crown
16th–17th century
Hammered and repoussé gold
2006.538
Votive Figural Sculpture, or "Axe"
c. 1000–500 BC
Greenstone
2023.232
Pair of Arm Ornaments
c. 1890
Gold, rubies, and diamonds
2004.2264.1,.2
Pupil: Pose 1
Katherine Wetzel
1997–1999
Gelatin silver print
99.188
Kris
17th–early 18th Century
Gold, wood, rubies
2004.2351.A,.B