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Nimrud
The most productive sources of Near Eastern ivories have been the
treasuries of Assyrian kings and officials. The most important finds of all
were made at Nimrud in Iraq, where great numbers of carved ivory fragments
have been excavated: the remains of the booty won by Assyrian kings in Syria
and Phoenicia, and of the fruits of the trade which `followed the flag',
stored in their palace treasuries.
Ancient documents attest the importance of Nimrud.
Founded in either the 13th or 11th century BC, it remained an important
centre until it was destroyed by fire, probably in 612 BC when Assyrian
authority came to an end. Towards the end of the eighth century BC, Sargon
II rebuilt part of the palace and claimed that "the plunder of cities
acquired through the success of my weapons which I hurled against the foe I
shut up therein and filled it to bursting with luxuries". A few years
earlier Tiglath Pileser III (744-727 BC) told in much greater detail how
"All the skilled artisans I shrewdly used to the best advantage . . From 20
great cubits below the level of the raging waters of the Tigris I heaped up
mighty limestone boulders as the mountain is heel up... The palaces terrace
I constructed, laid their foundations and raised high their towers. The
palaces' doorways, of ivory, maple, boxwood, mulberry, cedar ... juniper.
The ivory fragments from Nimrud were excavated in
the 1950s and 1960s. Most are carved in the elegant polychrome Egyptian
style associated with Phoenician craftsmen. Few are complete are parts of
larger objects such as beads or incense burners, mirrors or fans.
Attachment of unknown use, maybe fixed to leather harness. Eye of Horus grasping Rams-Head staff of Amun-Re. Syria, Fort Shalmameser.
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