Winged Genie Fertilizing a Date Tree

This scene shows a winged jinni (Romanization of the Arabic word جن (jann), also called genie in English) fertilizing a stylized date tree, a vital crop in Assyria. A fitting scene for the palace of King Ashurnassirpal II (Ash-ur-NAS-ir-pal) since producing fruit was seen as a divine act. The jinni's exaggerated muscles symbolize strength, and an inscription celebrates Ashurnassirpal's conquests under divine favor. The Assyrian Empire was one of the largest kingdoms of the ancient Near East, located across present-day Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt. The detail and precision seen in the wings, hair, and garment are an example of Near Eastern artistic style.

Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust