Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Vessel in the form of a hare about 6400–5900 B.C. Dimensions: Length: 18.41 cm (7 1/4 in.) Material: Gypsum Classification: Vessels Accession Number: 1995.739 Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/vessel-in-the-form-of-a-ha...

Ubaid pot with geometric decoration Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Sumerian, Late Ubaid Period, 4500–4000 B.C. Dimensions: Height x diamter: 27 x 28 cm (10 5/8 x 11 in.) Medium or Technique: Pottery Classification: Vessels Accession Number: 1986.30 Painted pot with carinated body and tall neck. Zigzag decoration in dark brown paint on cream-colored slip. The Chalcolithic Period in Mesopotamia is called the Ubaid Period, after a distinctive pottery found at the site of Tell al-Ubaid, near Ur in southern Iraq. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/ubaid-pot-with-geometric-d...

Bust of a female votary or priestess 2000–1800 B.C. Object Place for Label: Iraq Dimensions: Height x width: 38.1 x 45.72 cm (15 x 18 in.) Material: Terracotta Classification: Sculpture Accession Number: 1972.870 Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/bust-of-a-female-votary-or...

Foundation peg of Warad-Sin, king of Larsa Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Isin-Larsa Period, reign of Warad–Sin, 1834–1823 B.C. Findspot: Iraq Dimensions: Height: 26 cm (10 1/4 in.) Medium or Technique: Copper Classification: Architectural elements Accession Number: 37.1151 "Peg figure" of King Warad-Sin of Larsa carrying a basket of mortar on his head at the dedication of the Temple, from a foundation deposit. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/foundation-peg-of-warad-si...

Statuette of a dog Near Eastern, Mesopotamian or Babylonian, Middle Bronze Age, Isin-Larsa or Old Babylonian, 2000–1800 B.C. Findspot: Iraq Dimensions: Height x width: 24 x 10.5 cm (9 7/16 x 4 1/8 in.) Medium or Technique: Terracotta Classification: Sculpture Accession Number: 1972.872 Terracotta statuette of a seated dog, wearing a distinctive collar. The dog is the symbol of the healing goddess Gula. The statuette was probably dedicated at a shrine to the goddess. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/statuette-of-a-dog-164309

Cylinder Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Neo-Babylonian Period, reign of Nebuchadnezzar I, 604–562 B.C. Babylon Dimensions: Overall: 17 x 8.4 cm (6 11/16 x 3 5/16 in.) Medium or Technique: Pottery Classification: Inscriptions Accession Number: 44.658 Clay cylinder of King Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned 604-562 B.C.) with cuneiform writing. The inscription on this cylinder records the restoration by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon, of the temple of the god Lugalmarada in the town of Marad. The text reveals that during the restoration, it was discovered that the ancient lower courses of the structure had been laid by Naram-Sin, king of Akkad, more than sixteen hundred years earlier. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/cylinder-251934

On the right: Infant feeding vessel 10th–9th century B.C. Dimensions: Height x width x length: 11 x 5.5 x 7.7 cm (4 5/16 x 2 3/16 x 3 1/16 in.) Material: Pottery Classification: Vessels Accession Number: 1997.225 Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/infant-feeding-vessel-164744 and on the left: Infant feeding vessel (?) 1100–800 B.C. Dimensions: Height x length: 15 x 14 cm (5 7/8 x 5 1/2 in.) Material: Orangeware pottery Classification: Vessels Accession Number: 59.723 Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/infant-feeding-vessel--164904

Model of an oxcart 2600–2300 B.C. Object Place: Anatolia, Turkey Dimensions: Length: of cart with oxen .183 m., H. .105 m. Material: Cast copper Classification: Sculpture Accession Number: 62.679 Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/model-of-an-oxcart-164964

Openwork plaque 1894–1595 B.C. Dimensions: height x width x depth (without base): 9 x 3.5 x .9 cm (3 9/16 x 1 3/8 x 3/8 in.) Accession Number: 1995.53 Medium or Technique: Bronze Openwork plaque depicting the demigod Lahmu, one of the doorkeepers of the watery domain of Enki/Ea, holding the flowing vase. Provenance: By 1994: with the Mele Gallery, 147 E. 72nd St., New York, NY 10021; 1994: purchased by the MFA from the Mele Gallery, 27 July 1994 Credit Line: Morris and Louise Rosenthal Fund and William S. Smith Fund Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/openwork-plaque-164701

Relief of a winged genius Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian Period, reign of Ashurnasirpal II, 883–859 B.C. Findspot: Nimrud (Calah, Kalhu), Iraq Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 230 x 132 x 9.4 cm (90 9/16 x 51 15/16 x 3 11/16 in.) Medium or Technique: Gypsum Classification: Architectural elements Accession Number: 81.56 Slab depicting a winged genius (or "apkallu," antediluvian sage) holding a mace from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883–859 B.C.) in Nimrud. Across the center, the panel is inscribed with the "Standard Inscription" of Ashurnasirpal II. Inscription The standard inscription of Assurnasirpal II (as carved on the reliefs in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) Palace of Assurnasirpal, priest of Assur, the favorite of Bel and Ninurta, the beloved of Anu and Dagan, the Strong one of the great gods, the mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria; (grand)son of Adad-Nirari, king of the world, king of Assyria; the ...valiant hero, who goes hither and yon, trusting in Assur his lord and who is without rival among the princes of the four quarters; the shepherd of the fertile pastures, who fears no opposition; the mighty flood, who has no opponent; the king who subjects the unruly, the entire hosts of the nations' subjects; the strong man who treads on the necks of his foes, who crushes all his enemies, who shatters the alliance of the rebels; the king, who with the help of the great gods, his lords, proceeds and whose hand has conquered all lands; who has mastered all the mountain regions and has received their tribute, who takes hostages and establishes his power over all the lands. When Assur, the lord who pronounced my name and who made great my kingdom, entrusted his unrelenting weapon unto the power of my authority, I overthrew with weapons the armies of the land of Lullume (i.e. Luristan in western Iran), the wide spreading ones in the midst of battle. With the help of Shamash and Adad, the gods in whom I trust, I thundered over the lands of Nairi, Kirkhi, Shubari, and Nirbe (i.e. Kurdistan) like Adad the destroyer. (I am) the king who from beyond the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea brought into submission under his feet the country of the Laqe in its whole extent, the land of Sukhi together with the city of Rapiqu (i.e. the Euphrates Valley) whose hand conquered (the territory) from the source of the River Subnat as far as the land of Urartu (i.e. Armenia). Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/relief-of-a-winged-genius-...

Relief of a winged genius Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian Period, reign of Ashurnasirpal II, 883–859 B.C. Findspot: Nimrud (Calah, Kalhu), Iraq Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 230 x 132 x 9.4 cm (90 9/16 x 51 15/16 x 3 11/16 in.) Medium or Technique: Gypsum Classification: Architectural elements Accession Number: 81.56 Slab depicting a winged genius (or "apkallu," antediluvian sage) holding a mace from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883–859 B.C.) in Nimrud. Across the center, the panel is inscribed with the "Standard Inscription" of Ashurnasirpal II. Inscription The standard inscription of Assurnasirpal II (as carved on the reliefs in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) Palace of Assurnasirpal, priest of Assur, the favorite of Bel and Ninurta, the beloved of Anu and Dagan, the Strong one of the great gods, the mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria; (grand)son of Adad-Nirari, king of the world, king of Assyria; the ...valiant hero, who goes hither and yon, trusting in Assur his lord and who is without rival among the princes of the four quarters; the shepherd of the fertile pastures, who fears no opposition; the mighty flood, who has no opponent; the king who subjects the unruly, the entire hosts of the nations' subjects; the strong man who treads on the necks of his foes, who crushes all his enemies, who shatters the alliance of the rebels; the king, who with the help of the great gods, his lords, proceeds and whose hand has conquered all lands; who has mastered all the mountain regions and has received their tribute, who takes hostages and establishes his power over all the lands. When Assur, the lord who pronounced my name and who made great my kingdom, entrusted his unrelenting weapon unto the power of my authority, I overthrew with weapons the armies of the land of Lullume (i.e. Luristan in western Iran), the wide spreading ones in the midst of battle. With the help of Shamash and Adad, the gods in whom I trust, I thundered over the lands of Nairi, Kirkhi, Shubari, and Nirbe (i.e. Kurdistan) like Adad the destroyer. (I am) the king who from beyond the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea brought into submission under his feet the country of the Laqe in its whole extent, the land of Sukhi together with the city of Rapiqu (i.e. the Euphrates Valley) whose hand conquered (the territory) from the source of the River Subnat as far as the land of Urartu (i.e. Armenia). Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/relief-of-a-winged-genius-...

Relief of a winged genius Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian Period, reign of Ashurnasirpal II, 883–859 B.C. Findspot: Nimrud (Calah, Kalhu), Iraq Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 230 x 132 x 9.4 cm (90 9/16 x 51 15/16 x 3 11/16 in.) Medium or Technique: Gypsum Classification: Architectural elements Accession Number: 81.56 Slab depicting a winged genius (or "apkallu," antediluvian sage) holding a mace from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883–859 B.C.) in Nimrud. Across the center, the panel is inscribed with the "Standard Inscription" of Ashurnasirpal II. Inscription The standard inscription of Assurnasirpal II (as carved on the reliefs in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) Palace of Assurnasirpal, priest of Assur, the favorite of Bel and Ninurta, the beloved of Anu and Dagan, the Strong one of the great gods, the mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the world, king of Assyria; (grand)son of Adad-Nirari, king of the world, king of Assyria; the ...valiant hero, who goes hither and yon, trusting in Assur his lord and who is without rival among the princes of the four quarters; the shepherd of the fertile pastures, who fears no opposition; the mighty flood, who has no opponent; the king who subjects the unruly, the entire hosts of the nations' subjects; the strong man who treads on the necks of his foes, who crushes all his enemies, who shatters the alliance of the rebels; the king, who with the help of the great gods, his lords, proceeds and whose hand has conquered all lands; who has mastered all the mountain regions and has received their tribute, who takes hostages and establishes his power over all the lands. When Assur, the lord who pronounced my name and who made great my kingdom, entrusted his unrelenting weapon unto the power of my authority, I overthrew with weapons the armies of the land of Lullume (i.e. Luristan in western Iran), the wide spreading ones in the midst of battle. With the help of Shamash and Adad, the gods in whom I trust, I thundered over the lands of Nairi, Kirkhi, Shubari, and Nirbe (i.e. Kurdistan) like Adad the destroyer. (I am) the king who from beyond the Tigris to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea brought into submission under his feet the country of the Laqe in its whole extent, the land of Sukhi together with the city of Rapiqu (i.e. the Euphrates Valley) whose hand conquered (the territory) from the source of the River Subnat as far as the land of Urartu (i.e. Armenia). Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/relief-of-a-winged-genius-...

Plaque Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian Period, 883–612 B.C. Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 11.3 x 5.5 x 1.3 cm (4 7/16 x 2 3/16 x 1/2 in.) Medium or Technique: Terracotta Classification: Architectural elements Accession Number: 1997.192 Terracotta plaque depicting the mythical being Lahmu, an attendant of Enki/Ea, god of underground sweet waters (Apsu) and of wisdom. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/plaque-164841

Plaque Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian Period, 883–612 B.C. Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 12.3 x 5.4 x 2 cm (4 13/16 x 2 1/8 x 13/16 in.) Medium or Technique: Terracotta Classification: Architectural elements Accession Number: 1997.193 Terracotta plaque depicting a fish-apkallu, an antediluvian sage from the realm of Enki/Ea, god of underground sweet waters (Apsu) and of wisdom. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/plaque-164762

Tile: figure with streams of water flowing from jars held in his hand Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian Period, 883–612 B.C. Medium or Technique: Painted or glazed terracotta Classification: Architectural elements Accession Number: 1997.189 Text from: "Wall paintings from provincial Assyrian palaces; Assyrian borderlands." A beardless male figure or a female figure with streams of "purifying" water flowing from jars held in his/her hand.

Boot-shaped vessel Near Eastern, Iranian, Iron Age, 10th–9th century B.C. Place of Origin: Northwestern Iran Medium or Technique: Pottery with orange slip Classification: Vessels Accession Number: 1980.8 From Northwest Iran, Caspian coastal region. Shoes or boots with upturned toes were a feature of dress in Anatolia and Northwest Iran since remote antiquity. They are common both in Hittite art and in that of Iron Age Iran. Vessels like this one, buried with the dead, may -- like a magical shoe or carpet -- have been thought to facilitate the journey of the dead in the afterlife. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/boot-shaped-vessel-164833

Drinking vessel in the shape of a fist Near Eastern, Anatolian, Hittite, Hittite New Kingdom, reign of Tudhaliya III, 14th century B.C. Place of Manufacture: central Anatolia Dimensions: Width x length: 10 x 15.5 cm (3 15/16 x 6 1/8 in.) Medium or Technique: Silver Classification: Vessels Accession Number: 2004.2230 This ceremonial drinking vessel is shaped in the form of a human fist with a procession of musicians in relief along the cuff. Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/drinking-vessel-in-the-sha...