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 14May 18May 25May 28Jun 01Jun 04Jun 08Jun 10Jun 11Jun 15Jun 17Jun 18Jun 22Jun 24Jun 25Jun 29
May 18May 25Jun 01Jun 08Jun 10Jun 15Jun 17Jun 22Jun 24Jun 29
May 18May 25May 28Jun 01Jun 04Jun 08Jun 10Jun 11Jun 15Jun 17Jun 18Jun 22Jun 24Jun 25Jun 29
May 15May 16May 19May 21May 23May 26May 29May 30Jun 02Jun 05Jun 06Jun 09Jun 12Jun 13Jun 16Jun 19Jun 20Jun 23Jun 26Jun 27Jun 30
May 21May 28Jun 04Jun 11Jun 18Jun 25- May 21May 28Jun 04Jun 11Jun 18Jun 25
- May 21May 28Jun 04Jun 11Jun 18Jun 25
May 28Jun 04Jun 11Jun 18Jun 25