Military & Political · 19th century
€ 210
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
The print is in good antique condition. Colors are vivid and well-preserved. There are no tears or major stains, and the margins remain clean and intact. The reverse is blank.
Antique Assyrian Ornament Print Featuring Mythological Guardian Figure, 1887
This vivid antique print presents a stunning visual survey of Assyrian ornamental art, drawn from the acclaimed 19th-century design compendium *Der Ornamentenschatz*, published in Stuttgart in 1887. The original collection, created under the direction of architectural historian Heinrich Dolmetsch, aimed to capture the breadth of decorative styles from ancient civilizations through the modern era. Each plate was lithographed in color, based on archaeological and artistic sources, making it both a scholarly and aesthetic achievement.
The central image in this plate features a mythological winged genie or protective spirit from Assyrian mythology, shown in profile and wearing a horned headdress. He holds ritual implements—a bucket and pine cone—symbols used in purification and blessing rites. Surrounding this figure are a series of finely detailed ornamental motifs taken from wall reliefs, pottery, glazed bricks, and architectural friezes from Mesopotamian ruins.
The palette is both bold and harmonious, dominated by deep blue, ochre yellow, brick red, and black. The geometrically structured borders, rosettes, lotus forms, and stepped motifs all reflect the symbolic and formal language of Assyrian decorative art, evoking the grandeur of ancient palaces such as those at Nineveh and Nimrud.
This print served as a reference for designers and architects in the 19th century seeking authentic historical motifs to incorporate into their work. Today, it stands as a collectible artifact in its own right, bringing ancient aesthetics into the contemporary interior.
Condition:
This print is in a good antique condition. The colors remain saturated and sharp, with no fading or discoloration. The paper is clean and well-preserved, showing only minor signs of age appropriate for its 19th-century origin. The back is blank.
Framing Tips:
To highlight the rich colors and clean lines, frame with a neutral mat in off-white, sand, or pale grey. A thin black or deep wood frame complements the strong contrasts of the print, while museum glass will protect the delicate pigments from UV damage. Whether displayed alone or grouped with other plates from the series, this piece adds cultural depth and classical elegance to any space.
