Lions and Dog Panel

there is a mold of the original basalt object as well as a plaster cast.

[summary from the Museum Journal article: ]The basalt panel depicts the figures of the lions and dogs. It was probably originally placed against the door of the Mekal temple, that is, one of the two doors of the inner sanctuary, one of which leads to the courtyard and the other to the outer room at the northeast of the inner sanctuary. The panel is sculptured in high relief and contains two registers; it is about 3 feet high.

UPPER REGISTER: this depicts a lion fighting with a dog. On the shoulder of the lion is a tuft of hair, somewhat resembling a star; a star is usually the indication of a superior being. THe lion shows Mitannian and perhaps Assyro-Babylonian influences. The Lion on our panel evidently represents Nergal, the god of plague and death. As the panel must have been set in the door of the temple, the dog thus guarded the entrance against the lion who brought death and destruction.

LOWER REGISTER: this depicts the majestic lion of Nergal being attacked by a dog who is biting his back. THe lion has the star-like tuft of hair on his shoulder and is growling in rage.

Summing up the significance of the scenes sculptured on the panel, it may be said that the upper register shows the lion trying to enter the temple and the lower register the same animal being driven away from it. It will be notices that the tail of the lion in the former instance is in the air, and in the latter instance between his legs.