Lamassu Winged Lion Resin Sculpture

About This Item

This 10" sculpture of a human headed winged lion is like the huge sculptures of lamassus that guarded Assyrian palace doorways and city gates. The hybrid or composite iconography of lamassus is powerfully evocative of strength (body of a lion or bull), speed (an eagle's wings) and intelligence (human head). Each monolithic colussus was carved partly in relief and partly in the round from a single block of stone. Initially carved roughly in the quarry, each statue was transported to its final location (often by river), where it would be set in place and finished with fine carving. Huge sculptures of lamassus guarded Assyrian palace doorways and city gates. There were there to frighten away the forces of chaos.

10"h x 9"w x 3"d.