Assyrian Sculpture (Introductory Guides) - Softcover

Reade, Julian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 071412141X ISBN 13: 9780714121413

Publisher: British Museum, 2012

Synopsis

For almost three centuries, until 612 BC, the small kingdom of Assyria dominated the Middle East, its empire at one point extending from Iran to Egypt. The story of those years - the triumphs of the Assyrian kings in war and peace, their exploits in the hunting field, and the gods who watched over them - were recorded in stone on the walls of a succession of royal palaces. These sculptures, offering eye-witness views of a long-lost civilisation, were rediscovered in the 19th century. The finest collection, transported with great difficulty to Europe, is now preserved at the British Museum. This book describes how the sculptures were found and what they meant to those who created them. It is both a richly illustrated history of Assyrian sculptures in general and a guide to the outstanding collections of the British Museum.

About this title

About the Author:

Julian Reade is an assistant keeper in the Department of Western Asiatic Antiquities in the British Museum.

Review:

When Ira Gershwin wrote the lyrics to "A Foggy Day," he expressed the ne plus ultra of London unhappiness with the words, 'The British Museum has lost its charm.' As a new series of paperbacks from Harvard University Press...demonstrates, such an unthinkable state must needs constitute the very slough of despond. The institution's vast range of artistic treasures is suggested by the titles in the series: The Elgin Marbles, Assyrian Sculpture, Clocks and Watches, Egyptian Sculpture, Roman Britain, and Egyptian Mummies. Each has numerous illustrations, [and] literate texts by Museum staff members. (Boston Sunday Globe)

About this edition

• Publisher: British Museum
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 071412141X
• ISBN 13: 9780714121413
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 96