http://collections.mfa.org/collections/objectsrdf/315170;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52ENN.Ancient Near Eastern Collection Highlightshttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/794150/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/928907/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Drinking vessel in the shape of a fist1450–1300 B.C.SilverThis ceremonial drinking vessel is shaped in the form of a human fist with decoration in relief on the cuff. The scene depicts the "Great King Tudhaliya" pouring a libation before an altar of the storm god, who is shown holding a bull. The king is followed by five figures, some playing musical instruments.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/322343;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1243479/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Earring525–330 B.C.Gold with inlays of turquoise, carnelian, and lapis lazuliRound earring inlaid on both sides with multi-colored, semi-precious stones. Its design may represent the king revered by the six "Great Houses" of the empire, the land of Persia surrounded by the six world regions, or the supreme god Ahuramazda surrounded by the six "Bounteous Immortals."http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155819;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/813513/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Fragment of a victory stele of Naram-sin2334–2154 B.C.AlabasterFragment of a stele that apparently comemmorated one of Naram-Sin's victories in Anatolia. With two other fragments now in the Baghdad Museum, it depicts a procession of fettered, nude prisoners led by helmeted Akkadian troupes. Originally composed of several registers. The warrior in this fragment wears a ribbed or quilted helmet, a fringed sash and a long skirt. He holds a battle ax and rests his right arm on the shoulder of the last man in a line of bound captives.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155821;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1030892/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Head of Gudea2144–2124 B.C.DioriteHead of Gudea in smooth, polished diorite, wearing a turban surrounded by tight, stylized curls.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155973;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1030889/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Plate with ram on a mountain topA.D. 400–699Silver with mercury-gilded detailshttp://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155820;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/854213/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Relief of a protective deity883–859 B.C.GypsumWinged genius (human-apkallu, antediluvian sage) facing left, holding a bucket and cone, fertilizing the "sacred tree." "Standard Inscription" of Ashurnasirpal II across center of slab.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155815;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1568200/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Seated man holding a food dish10th–9th century B.C.Andesite (gray basalt)Man seated holding food dish in right hand. In Tell Halaf, in Syria, several statues of this type were found in tomb chapels associated with the burials of high-ranking individuals. Funerary reliefs depicting people seated in the same posture and holding food dishes have also been excavated in Marash in southeastern Turkey.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/164760;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1032488/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Stamp-cylinder seal ("the Tyszkiewicz seal")1650–1200 B.C.Hematite handle on cylinder of intaglio gemMythological scenes between bands of spiral ornament. An enthroned god sits amidst various cult objects before a mountain in which a human figure is buried under the god's throne, perhaps a representation of the Underworld. Five deities approach him, one with two faces. On the right another god slays a fallen enemy, while two others burn the two-faced god on a flaming pyre. Underneath the pyre is again a buried body.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/186675;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/794150/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Striding lion604–561 B.C.Glazed bricksOpen-mouthed lion, teeth bared, striding left. One of 120 lifesize lions that lined the Processional Way from the Ishtar Gate to the Temple of Marduk at Babylon.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155817;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1030891/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52Vessel in the form of a hareabout 6400–5900 B.C.GypsumThis may be the oldest work of art in the Museum's collections. Although its function and place of origin are unknown, a nearly identical vessel was excavated in 1978 at the Neolithic village site of Bouqras, on the Euphrates River in Syria, which was radio-carbon dated to about 6400 BC.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155968;jsessionid=C0F546DA5743A60281D4AAF4AD03DE52