Chair leg, Assyrian symbol on a lion paw
Hong Kong Museum of History, An Age of Luxury (Collection of the British Museum)Assyrian symbol on a lion paw chair leg
From South to North: Assyria and Urartu
The Assyrian empire's military successes between 800 and 600 BC meant that their precious goods were recognised as status symbols throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The kingdom of Urartu was a significant military rival yet shared Assyrian enthusiasms for highly decorated furniture. Lions were often the motifs of choice. The stone lions paw, (1) from an Assyrian throne or table, is intricately carved and was originally inlaid with semi-precious stones or metals. The metal version from Urartu (2) was also originally inlaid across the toes and claws.
2 Chair leg
Toprakkale, Van, Turkey
800 BC
Copper alloy
1877,1218.10
Would you like to explore the origin of Christ’s cross?
Click here: thesimpleanswers.com/the-true-cross/
Click here: thesimpleanswers.com/the-true-cross/
