Decorative boss ca. 8th century B.C. Assyrian This curved object, carved from a thick piece of shell and decorated with a guilloche border, was part of a group of 18 similar pieces found in a well in the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud. They were probably thrown into the well when the palace was sacked, in 614 B.C. and then again two years later. Their function is mysterious. All were pierced in the center and in some examples, including this piece, a nail remained in the central hole. The nail must have fastened the shell to a backing in some other material, perhaps wood. Other objects found in the same well can be identified as horse trappings, such as the small shell ornaments and studs also in the Metropolitan Museums collection (54.117.16-.19). These were probably part of a leather harness, which disintegrated in the well sludge. Horses in the reliefs of the palace of Sargon II at Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) are represented with similar double-fan shaped ornam

Brand: PL Photography Limited
SKU: 6145-29829290
Availability: InStock

Decorative boss ca. 8th century B.C. Assyrian This curved object, carved from a thick piece of shell and decorated with a guilloche border, was part of a group of 18 similar pieces found in a well in the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud. They were probably thrown into the well when the palace was sacked, in 614 B.C. and then again two years later. Their function is mysterious. All were pierced in the center and in some examples, including this piece, a nail remained in the central hole. The nail must have fastened the shell to a backing in some other material, perhaps wood. Other objects found in the same well can be identified as horse trappings, such as the small shell ornaments and studs also in the Metropolitan Museums collection (54.117.16-.19). These were probably part of a leather harness, which disintegrated in the well sludge. Horses in the reliefs of the palace of Sargon II at Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) are represented with similar double-fan shaped ornam

SuperStock offers millions of photos, videos, and stock assets to creatives around the world. This image of Decorative boss ca. 8th century B.C. Assyrian This curved object, carved from a thick piece of shell and decorated with a guilloche border, was part of a group of 18 similar pieces found in a well in the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud. They were probably thrown into the well when the palace was sacked, in 614 B.C. and then again two years later. Their function is mysterious. All were pierced in the center and in some examples, including this piece, a nail remained in the central hole. The nail must have fastened the shell to a backing in some other material, perhaps wood. Other objects found in the same well can be identified as horse trappings, such as the small shell ornaments and studs also in the Metropolitan Museums collection (54.117.16-.19). These were probably part of a leather harness, which disintegrated in the well sludge. Horses in the reliefs of the palace of Sargon II at Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) are represented with similar double-fan shaped ornam by Piemags/PL Photography Limited is available for licensing today.

Royalty Free License

Royalty-Free Standard Commercial licenses are granted for worldwide, non-exclusive and perpetual use, unless specifically noted otherwise. All Royalty-Free transactions are final. The Royalty-Free Standard Commercial license has no limitations and covers up to 15 users.