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Curators' Choices: 3 of 27
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Sacred Tree Being Attended by Human-headed and Bird-headed Divinities, Neo-Assyrian period, reign of Ashurnasirpal II (883–859 B.C.), from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, northern Mesopotamia, excavated at Nimrud (Ancient Kalhu). Gift of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., 1932 (32.143.3)
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The sacred tree, a common motif in Assyrian art, symbolizes vegetal life and fertility. Here the sacred tree is being purified by human-headed and bird-headed divinities, benevolent figures that offer divine protection and ensure prosperity.
Location: North entrance to the galleries for Ancient Near Eastern Art, second floor
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