An Exhibition of Ancient Mesopotamian Art

This beautifully formed mythological creature, made of tan frit, has a woman's head, the raised wings of an eagle, the forelegs of a lion, and the tail of a scorpion. The scorpion's tail bends around and attaches to the top of her crown forming a handle. She wears a double strand, bead necklace. Probably a protective genie, this shows the Iranian and Mesopotamian genius for taking positive attributes of different animals and humans to form a composite being combining the strengths of each.