Pendant with the head of Pazuzu ca. 8th-7th century B.C. Assyrian Although small, this head and neck cast in bronze is immediately recognizable as a ferocious demonic creature from ancient Mesopotamia. The bulging eyes, bulbous forehead protrusions, and short beard that rings the snarling open mouth, atop an incongruously thin neck, are unmistakable features of Pazuzu, the king of evil wind demons. Pazuzu was associated with the cold winds that blew into present-day Iraq from the Zagros Mountains on the border with Iran, which were thought to bring illness. While not a benevolent figure on his own, he could be used to deflect the dangerous attentions of Lamashtu, a powerful and violent demon. A plaque displayed in the museum was used as an amulet against Lamashtu, and depicts her as a demon combining human and animal features (1984.348). When wearing a pendant like this head threaded on a necklace, the orientation of the suspension loop would ensure that the demons gaze was directed o