Holy Land Terracotta Pinched Rim Oil Lamp

Narrow tubular body with rounded bottom, narrow shoulder, flared neck; dragged 'feather' ornament to the iridescent surface; mounted on a custom-made stand. 274 grams, 10.5 cm



From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s.

Carved in the round with flared base, addorsed faces of the demon with suspension lug above. 50.24 grams, 44 mm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

The figure described as the 'King of Wind Demons' is commonly identified with Pazuzu, a well-known demon in Assyrian and Babylonian tradition. Despite his fearsome appearance, often shown with a canine face, bulging eyes, a scaly body, and wings, Pazuzu was not simply a malevolent force. He was understood as the ruler of the winds, particularly the hot, destructive winds from the desert, but was also invoked for protection. Most notably, Pazuzu was believed to ward off the demon Lamashtu, who threatened pregnant women and infants. Small amulets and pendants bearing his image were therefore worn or placed in domestic spaces as protective devices. Objects such as this pendant belong to that world of everyday belief, where the boundary between danger and protection was fluid, and where even a demon could serve an apotropaic role.

Modelled in the round crouching on a rectangular base. 2.38 grams, 18 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.