Human-headed winged lion (Lamassu) ca. 883–859 B.C.

“Human-headed winged lion (Lamassu)” is a sculpture from the Neo-Assyrian period, sculpted around 883–859 B.C. This statue is displayed with its pair at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 401. It is crafted from gypsum alabaster in the image of the beliefs of the Assyrian culture. The statue stands tall adorning the entrance to the gallery with the dimensions ofH. 122 1/2 x W. 24 1/2 x D. 109 in. As a description of the statue, it is stated, “Among such stone beasts is the human-headed, winged lion pictured here. The horned cap attests to its divinity, and the belt signifies its power. The sculptor gave these guardian figures five legs so that they appear to be standing firmly when viewed from the front but striding forward when seen from the side. Lamassu protected and supported important doorways in Assyrian palaces.”

The most distinctive and the most emphasized feature of the sculpted lion is the face. The lion has been sculpted with the face of the human which is quite realistic. All facial features resemble a human along with an earring in the left ear of the stature. Additionally, the chin of the statue is quite similar to nose depicted in the relics of the Ancient Egyptians. There also rests a hat on the head of the statue. The hat has been very masterfully crafted as it shows folds and ripples of the supposed cloth.

As the eye falls lower upon the statue, massive wings can be noticed on the body of the statue. These wings remind of the fiction beast Pegasus. The depicted feathers on the wing are quite realistic as well. Each feature can be seen by itself, differing from an action wing. The feathers are portrayed in a very symmetrical fashion. The feathers spread to the chest of the lion and get smaller in size. Compared to the feathers on the chest, the feathers on the wings are quite large and are shown with more texture. The texture of the feathers does not invoke a feeling of soft to the touch, but rather it displays roughness.

The body of the lion is very unlike a lion. The structure of the back and abdomen closely resembles that of a dog. Additionally, there are five legs depicted on the statue rather than only four of a normal lion. The paws of the lion are more like clawed hooves rather than paws. They seem very sharp and almost seem like there is no flesh of muscle, only bone. The legs of the statue are adorned with lines which seem like bones or muscles.

As a viewer, I believe the lion is depicted to represent majestic features of beasts, humans and birds. The lion bears the face of a human, the wings of a bird and paws of a beast. The overall effect of the sculpture is quite daunting. It represents power and fear.