Page 131 - The Art & Architecture of the Ancient Orient_Neat

PART ONE: MESOPOTAMIA

ilifixppSESS

1ft sleeves m he characteristic shape of pairs of double volutes and three rows of
giucs, presumably cast in metal or carved in ivory, which ‘support’ the king with un
ted arms - a motif possibly of Hittitc origin and surviving into Persian times The stool
the tooTd d §9) 1S,Slmpler’ but shows similar features; bronze rams’ heads at
the top and the connecting sleeves with double volutes. His footstool has lion feet

Figure 39. Assyrian inlay of ivory, from Nimrud

Bronze castings for furniture were found at Kizilvank, near Lake Van, where the king­
dom of Urartu or Ararat flourished. In the ninth century B.c. Shalmaneser III came into
conflict with this power; and the wars continued until the end of the Assyrian empire.
But the material culture of Van was evidently under Assyrian influence; in fact the
bronze fittings of furniture strike one as thoroughly Assyrian in motifs and taste.55
Among other objects in metal are cups (Plate ii8a), dishes,56 weights in bronze in the
shape of animals,57 engraved bronze bands,58 and figures of the demon Pazuzu of the
south-east wind, who brings diseases (Plate ii8b). If the sensitive rendering of animals
1 delighted and meticulous care of small details are characteristic of Assyrian art,
of giving convincing shape to imaginary creations is one of the oldest gifts
the power
102