I was lucky enough to
visit the British Museum last year. My visit
was on a Friday night, about an hour before closing, when it had that magic-twilight
empty “night at the museum” quality.
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| Friday night in Assyria |
In the fabulous Assyrian collection is the lamassu, a winged,
human-headed lion. He guarded the entrances into the throne room of King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BC). Lamassus
also guarded the gates of cities. According to the British Museum, “The helmet
with horns indicates the creature's divinity.”
Their most interesting feature, and one I completely failed
to notice, is that lamassus all have five legs. From the front, they appear to be standing firm and protecting the gates,
and from the side, striding forward, going forth to protect the city.
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| Photo from the British Museum - count the feet! |
I wonder how this came about? A mistake? Two sculptures seem from an angle that gave someone a great idea? Or just one visionary sculptor? If ever you feel like a fifth wheel, remember
lamassu guarding the king from the demons of chaos, and take heart. You’re in good company.
If you want to read more, here is the British Museum’s description of the lamassu.
Wards off the demons of chaos, huh? Can I Rent-to-Own a Lasmassu...its been a rough week =)
ReplyDeleteI suspect the artist was trying to provide two different versions of the lammasu: one standing still and guarding the gates (if viewed from the front), and one striding forth to smack the demons of chaos (if viewed from the side). Sort of like one of those polarized images that changes when you tilt the card it's printed on.
ReplyDeleteI like the mental image of a lammassu about to "smack" a demon of chaos =) Just puts a whole new spin on the lammassu for me!
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