**Originally Listed At $500**
Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Neo-Assyrian, ca. 800 to 550 BCE. A wonderful example of a mold-cast bronze pendant featuring the head of Pazuzu, an Assyrian demon who is known as king of the wind demons. The bulbous head bears a highly stylized visage presenting teardrop-form eyes beneath heavy brows, a petite nose flanked with thick jowls, bared teeth and tongue, perky ears, and a narrow neck. Atop the head is an integral suspension loop used to hang the pendant from a necklace strand. Layers of brown and forest green patina have formed across the composition. Size: 0.4" W x 0.875" H (1 cm x 2.2 cm)
Pazuzu is often considered as an evil underworld demon, but also seems to have been a beneficial protector against pestilential winds. Pazuzu is also closely associated with the demon Lamashtu which caused miscarriage and cot death, acting as an antidote to her evil effects.
For a similar example, please see The British Museum, museum number 132964, registration number 1962,0514.1
Provenance: private Ventura, California, USA collection, acquired through descent; ex-private Ventura, California, USA collection, acquired at auction and from private collections from 1965 to 1970
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most Antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. #164159
Condition
Softening to some facial features and light encrustations within recessed areas, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina across all surfaces.