Central Asia, Afghanistan, Bactria, ca. 1st millennium BCE. A rounded, well-carved lapis lazuli object depicting the skull-like head of Pazuzu (Fazuzu or Pazuza) from Assyrian and Babylonian mythology. The head is that of an old man, bald, with huge eyes that would once have been inlaid, possibly with shell, a strong nose, and a mysterious, close-lipped smile. The head also has remarkably naturalistic carved ears. Pazuzu was the king of the demons of the wind, and represented the southwestern wind, the bearer of storms, drought, famine, and locusts. Lapis lazuli, mined in Afghanistan, was a hugely prized material in the ancient world, inspiring many colors of glass and glaze in imitation. As the real thing, this would have been valuable! Comes with custom stand. Size: 0.9" W x 1.25" H (2.3 cm x 3.2 cm); height on stand: 3.9" (10 cm).

Provenance: private Bangkok, Thailand collection

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#121846

Head seems to have been separated from a larger figure, but the head itself is in excellent condition.