DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3491#0009
LAYARD'S MONUMENTS OF NINEVEH.
formed by pairs of similar monsters, either lions or bulls with a human head and the wings of a bird. There can
be little doubt that they were invested with a mythic or symbolical character—that they typified the Deity or some
of his attributes, his omniscience, his ubiquity, and his might. Like the Egyptian sphinxes, they were probably
introduced into the architecture of the people on account of their sacred character.
Thirteen pairs of them, some, however, very much injured, were discovered among the ruins of Nimroud. At
Kouyunjik five pairs of winged bulls were dug out; but neither in these ruins, nor at Khorsabad, was the winged
lion found. They differed considerably in size, the largest being about 16^ feet square, and the smallest scarcely 5,
and in every instance were sculptured out of one solid slab. The head and fore-part were finished all round,
the body and hind legs being in high relief. The spaces behind the back, and between the legs, were covered with
a cuneiform inscription; as the letters were small, and could not be given in detail, it has not been considered
necessary to introduce them into the engraving.
PLATE 4.----WINGED HUMAN-HEADED BULL.
The figure here engraved is similar in character to the winged lion, and formed the eastern side of the
southern entrance to the great hall in the North-West Palace at Nimroud (No. 2, entrance b, ch. b, plan 3). It was
sculptured out of a yellow limestone. The human head of the bull, forming the opposite side of the entrance, is now
in the British Museum.
PLATE 5.----THE KING SEATED ON HIS THRONE, ATTENDED BY EUNUCHS AND WINGED EIGURES.
He holds the sacred Cup in his right hand. Before him stands an eunuch, bearing a fan or fly-flapper in one
hand, and the cover, or stand, of the cup in the other. Immediately behind the King is a second eunuch, also
raising a fan, and carrying a bow in the left hand. He is followed by a third eunuch, with a bow, a mace,
and a quiver, all probably for the use of the King. This group is enclosed by two winged figures, carrying the
fir-cone, and a square utensil or basket; both evidently sacred emblems, or used in religious ceremonies. It is
doubtful whether these winged figures represent presiding Deities of an inferior order, or priests attired for the
celebration of a peculiar worship.
The elaborate and elegant designs, probably embroideries, on the dresses of the figures, the forms of the
arms and furniture, and the taste displayed in the ornaments, deserve particular attention.
This fine specimen of Assyrian sculpture formed the end of a hall, in the North-West Palace of Nimroud
(Nos. 2, 3, 4, ch. g, plan 3). It was, when discovered, in the most perfect preservation. The three slabs are
about 7 feet 8 inches high, and 6 feet 7 inches broad. They have been secured for the British Museum.
An inscription in cuneiform characters is carried across the centre of these slabs, as well as across most
of the colossal figures of which engravings are given in this work. I have not introduced this inscription in
the plates, as the details of the characters could not be represented, and it would interfere considerably with
the forms of the figures ; whilst, in the sculptures themselves, at a short distance, it is scarcely perceptible.
PLATE 6.----EMBROIDERIES ON THE BREAST OF A KING.
These ornaments have been given in detail, and nearly of the original size, as they are highly interesting,
and throw light on the religious system, and myths of the Assyrians. They were evidently invested with a
sacred character; the groups are symbolical, and resemble those on cylinders and amulets, discovered in Assyrian
and Babylonian ruins. Two Kings in the centre appear to be engaged in some religious ceremony; above them
is the winged disk emblematical of the Supreme Deity, and between them the sacred tree. The King attended
by winged figures, the Eagle-headed God, and the man with a horned cap struggling with two winged sphinxes,
are also introduced.
It may be presumed that these ornaments were embroidered on a silk or woollen garment, and not embossed
or graven on a breast-plate of metal. They occur on the dress of the King represented in the preceding
Plate. In the bas-relief they are very slightly chiselled, and were probably painted.
formed by pairs of similar monsters, either lions or bulls with a human head and the wings of a bird. There can
be little doubt that they were invested with a mythic or symbolical character—that they typified the Deity or some
of his attributes, his omniscience, his ubiquity, and his might. Like the Egyptian sphinxes, they were probably
introduced into the architecture of the people on account of their sacred character.
Thirteen pairs of them, some, however, very much injured, were discovered among the ruins of Nimroud. At
Kouyunjik five pairs of winged bulls were dug out; but neither in these ruins, nor at Khorsabad, was the winged
lion found. They differed considerably in size, the largest being about 16^ feet square, and the smallest scarcely 5,
and in every instance were sculptured out of one solid slab. The head and fore-part were finished all round,
the body and hind legs being in high relief. The spaces behind the back, and between the legs, were covered with
a cuneiform inscription; as the letters were small, and could not be given in detail, it has not been considered
necessary to introduce them into the engraving.
PLATE 4.----WINGED HUMAN-HEADED BULL.
The figure here engraved is similar in character to the winged lion, and formed the eastern side of the
southern entrance to the great hall in the North-West Palace at Nimroud (No. 2, entrance b, ch. b, plan 3). It was
sculptured out of a yellow limestone. The human head of the bull, forming the opposite side of the entrance, is now
in the British Museum.
PLATE 5.----THE KING SEATED ON HIS THRONE, ATTENDED BY EUNUCHS AND WINGED EIGURES.
He holds the sacred Cup in his right hand. Before him stands an eunuch, bearing a fan or fly-flapper in one
hand, and the cover, or stand, of the cup in the other. Immediately behind the King is a second eunuch, also
raising a fan, and carrying a bow in the left hand. He is followed by a third eunuch, with a bow, a mace,
and a quiver, all probably for the use of the King. This group is enclosed by two winged figures, carrying the
fir-cone, and a square utensil or basket; both evidently sacred emblems, or used in religious ceremonies. It is
doubtful whether these winged figures represent presiding Deities of an inferior order, or priests attired for the
celebration of a peculiar worship.
The elaborate and elegant designs, probably embroideries, on the dresses of the figures, the forms of the
arms and furniture, and the taste displayed in the ornaments, deserve particular attention.
This fine specimen of Assyrian sculpture formed the end of a hall, in the North-West Palace of Nimroud
(Nos. 2, 3, 4, ch. g, plan 3). It was, when discovered, in the most perfect preservation. The three slabs are
about 7 feet 8 inches high, and 6 feet 7 inches broad. They have been secured for the British Museum.
An inscription in cuneiform characters is carried across the centre of these slabs, as well as across most
of the colossal figures of which engravings are given in this work. I have not introduced this inscription in
the plates, as the details of the characters could not be represented, and it would interfere considerably with
the forms of the figures ; whilst, in the sculptures themselves, at a short distance, it is scarcely perceptible.
PLATE 6.----EMBROIDERIES ON THE BREAST OF A KING.
These ornaments have been given in detail, and nearly of the original size, as they are highly interesting,
and throw light on the religious system, and myths of the Assyrians. They were evidently invested with a
sacred character; the groups are symbolical, and resemble those on cylinders and amulets, discovered in Assyrian
and Babylonian ruins. Two Kings in the centre appear to be engaged in some religious ceremony; above them
is the winged disk emblematical of the Supreme Deity, and between them the sacred tree. The King attended
by winged figures, the Eagle-headed God, and the man with a horned cap struggling with two winged sphinxes,
are also introduced.
It may be presumed that these ornaments were embroidered on a silk or woollen garment, and not embossed
or graven on a breast-plate of metal. They occur on the dress of the King represented in the preceding
Plate. In the bas-relief they are very slightly chiselled, and were probably painted.