ASSYRIA.
The works of sculpture in Assyria consisted of statues, bas-reliefs, statuettes in clay, carvings in ivory, metal castings, and some smaller works, such as articles for jewelry, made in minute imitation of larger works in sculpture.
Fig. 9.—Mode of Transporting a Colossus from the Quarries.
From a Lithographic Drawing.
In a Grotto at Dayr E'Shake, near El Bersheh.
1. The statue bound upon a sledge with ropes. It is of a private individual, not of a king, or a deity.
2. Man probably beating time with his hands, and giving out the verse of a song, to which the men responded; though 3 appears as if about to throw something which 2 is preparing to catch, or striking crotala.
4. Pouring a liquid, perhaps grease, from a vase.
5. Egyptian soldiers, carrying boughs.
6, 7, 8, 9. Men, probably captives and convicts, dragging the statue.
10. Men carrying water, or grease.
11. Some implements.
12. Taskmasters.
13, 14, 15, 16. Reliefs of men.
The statues found in Assyria are by no means beautiful, according to our idea of beauty. They are as set and stiff in design as the Egyptian works of this sort, and they have suffered so much injury from the weather and from violence that we cannot judge of the manner in which they were originally finished.
Fig. 10.—Statue of Sardanapalus I.
From Nimrud.