Assyrian sculpture and Balawat Gates

Human faces, wings and powerful animal bodies combine in the protective sculptures associated with Rooms 6a and 6b. Two great winged lions came from an entrance to the palace of Ashurnasirpal II, an Assyrian king, at Nimrud in present-day Iraq. The Black Obelisk in Room 6a tells another royal story. Its carved registers show tribute brought to Shalmaneser III. Follow a single row around the four-sided monument to see how figures and inscriptions work together. The Balawat displays include ancient bronze gate fragments alongside replicas that help explain their arrangement. These strips once formed part of monumental doors. Across the sculpture and gate material, entrances became places where a ruler could display protection, conquest and wealth. The kings named on these works belong to different reigns, so take a moment to match the name to the object.