Assyrian Stone Bust of the Demon Pazuzu

8TH-7TH CENTURY B.C.

1 1/2 in. (47 grams, 37 mm).

Carved in the round bust with heavily hatched brow and cheeks, D-shaped eyes, snubbed feline nose, ellipsoid mouth gaping with teeth exposed, segmented panel to chest.

Provenance

European art market, 1997.
Acquired by the present owner from the above.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12596-232196.

Literature

Cf. a similar bronze head of Pazuzu in BM, accession no.132964, in Braun-Holzinger, E.A., Figürliche Bronzen aus Mesopotamien, Abteilung I, Band 4, Munich, 1984, pl.53, p.264.

Footnotes

Pazuzu, in the old Mesopotamian mythology, is described as ‘the son of Hanbu and king of wind demons’. Amulets with images of his full body or, more often, just his head, were common in the early first millennium B.C. Pazuzu was most popular in the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian periods, from about the late 8th century B.C. through the 6th century B.C.

CONDITION

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LOT 1275