A very large and impressive bronzed metal Human-headed winged lion (lamassu) Assyrian. This superb example is highly detailed and likely to have been made at some point around the early 20thc, very heavy indeed, highly decorative and very much a statement piece. Standing upon a heavy black painted wooden framed base this is a decorators dream piece. This will add elegance and style to any location. Rare to find one of this size and of such great detail. I have only ever seen or owned much smaller versions, I have never seen one of this size.Historical background to these fabulous figures:From the ninth to the seventh century B.C., the kings of Assyria ruled over a vast empire centered in northern Iraq. The first great Assyrian king was Ashurnasirpal II (r. 883-859 B.C.), who undertook a vast building program at Nimrud, ancient Kalhu. Until it became the capital city under Ashurnasirpal, Nimrud had been no more than a provincial town.The new capital occupied an area of about...