DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3491#0010
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.
PLATE 7.----WINGED FEMALES STANDING BEFORE THE SACRED TREE.
(No. 16, ch. i, plan 3, Nimroud).
They raise the extended right hand, and carry a garland or rosary in the left. They are distinguished
by long hair falling down the back, and by a peculiar garment, apparently of fur, descending from the waist to
the ankles.
PLATE 7 (A).----WINGED FIGURES KNEELING BEFORE THE SACRED TREE.
(No. 16, ch. i, plan 3, Nimroud).
The kneeling winged figures stretch out their hands, one towards the top, the other towards the bottom of
the sacred tree; they are attired in garments similar to those worn by the female figures.
PLATE 8.----EMBROIDERY ON THE UPPER PART OF THE DRESS OF A KING.
(No. 8, ch. g, plan 3, Nimroud).
The figures have the same mythic character as those in Plates 6 and 9, and are in many respects interesting.
PLATE 9.----EMBROIDERY ON THE UPPER PART OF THE ROBE OF A KING.
(No. 7, ch. g, plan 3, Nimroud).
The dagger-handles, worn in the girdle and elaborately ornamented, are introduced.
PLATE 10.-—THE KING IN HIS CHARIOT HUNTING THE LION.
(No. 19, a, ch. b, plan 3).
He is discharging an arrow from his extended bow, against a lion springing on the chariot. A second lion,
already pierced by arrows, and disabled, is beneath the feet of the horses. Two warriors, armed with short swords
and shields, are running to the assistance of the Monarch. The chariot-horses are guided by a charioteer, who urges
them to the top of their speed.
This bas-relief, which may be considered one of the finest specimens hitherto discovered of Assyrian sculpture, is
remarkable for the spirit of the grouping and the careful and faithful delineation of the forms, particularly of the
lions.* It is in excellent preservation, and is amongst the sculptures already placed in the British Museum.
PLATE 11.----THE KING HUNTING THE WILD BULL.
(No. 20, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
The King is slaying a bull, which appears to have entangled itself in the wheels of the chariot. He is piercing
the animal with a short sword, in a vital part of the neck. A second bull, wounded by arrows, is beneath the feet
of the horses. Behind the chariot is a horseman riding on one horse, and leading a second richly caparisoned, probably
intended for the use of the King. The chariot, as in the previous bas-relief, is drawn by three horses, guided by a
charioteer. The bulls probably represent a species once inhabiting the Assyrian plains, but long since extinct.
This bas-relief is in the British Museum.
PLATE 12.—THE KING STANDING OVER THE PROSTRATE BULL.
(No. 20, b, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
This bas-relief was on the same slab as and beneath the previous, and probably represents the triumphant
return of the King from the chase. He stands on the conquered animal, and performs some religious ceremony, or
pours a libation to the Gods. He is attended by eunuchs bearing his arms, and by warriors and musicians who celebrate
his victory.
* Nearly allied to the Persian Lion. For the prickle at the end of the tail consult the Zoological Society's Proceedings.
PLATE 7.----WINGED FEMALES STANDING BEFORE THE SACRED TREE.
(No. 16, ch. i, plan 3, Nimroud).
They raise the extended right hand, and carry a garland or rosary in the left. They are distinguished
by long hair falling down the back, and by a peculiar garment, apparently of fur, descending from the waist to
the ankles.
PLATE 7 (A).----WINGED FIGURES KNEELING BEFORE THE SACRED TREE.
(No. 16, ch. i, plan 3, Nimroud).
The kneeling winged figures stretch out their hands, one towards the top, the other towards the bottom of
the sacred tree; they are attired in garments similar to those worn by the female figures.
PLATE 8.----EMBROIDERY ON THE UPPER PART OF THE DRESS OF A KING.
(No. 8, ch. g, plan 3, Nimroud).
The figures have the same mythic character as those in Plates 6 and 9, and are in many respects interesting.
PLATE 9.----EMBROIDERY ON THE UPPER PART OF THE ROBE OF A KING.
(No. 7, ch. g, plan 3, Nimroud).
The dagger-handles, worn in the girdle and elaborately ornamented, are introduced.
PLATE 10.-—THE KING IN HIS CHARIOT HUNTING THE LION.
(No. 19, a, ch. b, plan 3).
He is discharging an arrow from his extended bow, against a lion springing on the chariot. A second lion,
already pierced by arrows, and disabled, is beneath the feet of the horses. Two warriors, armed with short swords
and shields, are running to the assistance of the Monarch. The chariot-horses are guided by a charioteer, who urges
them to the top of their speed.
This bas-relief, which may be considered one of the finest specimens hitherto discovered of Assyrian sculpture, is
remarkable for the spirit of the grouping and the careful and faithful delineation of the forms, particularly of the
lions.* It is in excellent preservation, and is amongst the sculptures already placed in the British Museum.
PLATE 11.----THE KING HUNTING THE WILD BULL.
(No. 20, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
The King is slaying a bull, which appears to have entangled itself in the wheels of the chariot. He is piercing
the animal with a short sword, in a vital part of the neck. A second bull, wounded by arrows, is beneath the feet
of the horses. Behind the chariot is a horseman riding on one horse, and leading a second richly caparisoned, probably
intended for the use of the King. The chariot, as in the previous bas-relief, is drawn by three horses, guided by a
charioteer. The bulls probably represent a species once inhabiting the Assyrian plains, but long since extinct.
This bas-relief is in the British Museum.
PLATE 12.—THE KING STANDING OVER THE PROSTRATE BULL.
(No. 20, b, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
This bas-relief was on the same slab as and beneath the previous, and probably represents the triumphant
return of the King from the chase. He stands on the conquered animal, and performs some religious ceremony, or
pours a libation to the Gods. He is attended by eunuchs bearing his arms, and by warriors and musicians who celebrate
his victory.
* Nearly allied to the Persian Lion. For the prickle at the end of the tail consult the Zoological Society's Proceedings.