This is a pair of figures of the Ancient Assyrian king Sardanapalus (Ashurbanipal) and his queen.Similar figures were produced in parian porcelain. They were made by W.T. Copeland & Sons circa 1868-1894. Copeland produced a small series of these figures in response to the public excitement caused by the discoveries in the mid Nineteenth Century of the ancient Assyrian cities of Nimrud, Ninevah and Khorsabad. The Copeland figures were based on bas reliefs found in these ancient cities. They were modelled by Aaron Hays (British, active 1845–76) who was an employee of the British Museum at the time.I believe this pair of figures are copies of the Copeland figures. During my research I have also found examples in bronze. The figures in question are cast metal, though not typical materials such as bronze or spelter. Perhaps steel or a similar metal. They are quite heavy. My scales only go up to 1kg but each figure weighs more than that. They are highlighted with parcel gilt detail ...