Ancient Near East, Neo-Assyrian period, ca. 800 to 600 BCE. A cast bronze head with a ring for suspension at the top. The head has the grotesque features of Pazuzu, the king of the demons of the wind in the Assyrian and Babylonian religion. His head is often meant to be a combination of lion and dog. Size: 0.5" W x 0.8" H (1.3 cm x 2 cm)

Pazuzu is often invoked in apotropaic amulets like this one, especially relating to women and childbirth. An amulet like this one would have been held near or worn by a woman in labor, intended to protect her from the female demon Lamashtu. These were also worn on clothing, pinned like a brooch, to protect a mother with a baby, and a stone example has been found on a necklace in a woman's grave. See a very similar amulet in the British Museum (1962,0514.1).

Provenance: Ex-California Museum of Ancient Art

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#120971

Bright green patina over surface, with some surface cracks as shown.