The tradition of glazed terracotta brick as
adornments began in southern Iran in the 13th
century B.C. This Assyrian glazed brick tile
would have adorned the walls of a temple or
palace structure. The tiered tile is decorated by
the representation of a mythological creature
based on the forms of a female human.
However, this woman is winged and has the arms
of a lion. A slight relief of a brown glaze
delineates the outlines of her body as well as the
simulated feathers of the wings. She also wears
a conical spotted crown, partly covered by a horn
that grows out of her head. Seen in profile, her
one ovular eye is fully open and alert. The
musculature of her body, specifically the lower
half, can be characterized by the flowing,
spiraling curves that define her stomach and
thighs. Her lion paw arms reach outward, as if
pushing against the borders of the brick. This
fantastical remnant of a lost age reveals the
extreme sophistication and elegance of their
forgotten culture. Imagine a room filled from
floor to ceiling with such tiles. Be careful to
consider how vibrant the orange and blue hues
must have originally been. What a truly
spectacular sight this would be in any era.
- (PF.5615)
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