Shlomo's Treasures
Guardian Lions from the Moussaieff Collection (Special Exhibit)
- June 5 2016 - June 5 2016
- Curator: Laura A. Peri
The magnificent lions exhibited here hail from ancient Nashshan, a city-state at times ruled by the kingdom of Saba (biblical Sheba), in present-day Yemen. They bear identical inscriptions (in a Semitic language and alphabetic script) indicating that they were royal offerings to the god of war Athtar. Since their backs are hollow, we may assume that they were attached to a wall. They probably flanked the entrance to Adhanan, the temple mentioned in the inscriptions, inspiring awe and serving for protection.
The use of pairs of lions as gateway guardians originated in Mesopotamia and was common throughout the Ancient Near East. These lions are the earliest of their kind known from South Arabia. They are generously on loan from the outstanding collection of Shlomo Moussaieff, in honor of first anniversary of his death and as a fitting tribute to his memory.
Pair of lions dedicated to the god Athtar of Adhanan by Yada‘ab and Yashhurmalik, kings of Nashshan
Inscribed in Minaeo-Sabaean in South Arabian script
Nashshan (as-Sawda, northern Yemen), ca. 6th century BCE, bronze
Shlomo Moussaieff Collection
- May 21May 21May 21May 28May 28May 28
- May 21May 28
- May 21May 24May 25May 28May 31Jun 01Jun 07Jun 08Jun 14Jun 15Jun 21Jun 22Jun 28Jun 29
- May 21
- May 21
- Mar 12May 21
- May 20May 23May 27May 30Jun 03Jun 06Jun 10Jun 13Jun 17Jun 20Jun 24Jun 27
- May 23May 30Jun 06Jun 13Jun 20Jun 27
- May 23May 30Jun 06Jun 13Jun 20Jun 27
- May 23May 30Jun 06Jun 13Jun 20Jun 27
- May 23May 30Jun 06Jun 13Jun 20Jun 27
- May 20May 23May 27May 30Jun 03Jun 06Jun 10Jun 13May 17Jun 20Jun 24Jun 27
- May 09May 16May 23May 30
- May 20May 27Jun 03Jun 10Jun 17Jun 24
- May 20May 27