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The 'Garden Party' relief from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal (Room S)

-645/-635

British Museum

British Museum
London, United Kingdom

Gypsum wall panel relief fragment; carved in low relief; the topmost register is represented by the 'Garden Scene' with birds and a locust in the trees, showing (from left to right) two women holding napkins and fanning the queen with fly-whisks; two more each bring a dish, which they protect with a fly-whisk, towards the enthroned queen and reclining king, who feast in the arbour amid the vines, conifers and palms, hung with the grisly trophies of victory, consisting of the head and hand holding a wand of Teumman, king of Elam. The hands of a woman drummer and a woman harpist can be seen amid the palms and conifers. Behind the king stand two more ladies holding napkins and fanning him, and behind them is a table holding his sword, bow and quiver. The furniture is very elaborate.

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  • Title: The 'Garden Party' relief from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal (Room S)
  • Date Created: -645/-635
  • Physical Dimensions: Length: 58.42cm; Width: 139.70cm; Depth: 15.24cm
  • External Link: British Museum collection online
  • Technique: carved
  • Subject: garden; feast/banquet; king/queen; insect; bird; plant; arms/armour; furniture/woodwork; musician; servant/domestic worker
  • Registration number: 1856,0909.53
  • Production place: Made in Iraq
  • Place: Excavated/Findspot North Palace
  • Period/culture: Neo-Assyrian
  • Material: gypsum
  • Copyright: Photo: © Trustees of the British Museum
  • Authority: Ruler Ashurbanipal
  • Acquisition: Excavated by Rassam, Hormuzd. Excavated by Rawlinson, Henry Creswicke. Excavated by Taylor, John George. Excavated by Loftus, William Kennett
British Museum

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