Monumental funerary figure

myminifactory

A woman with curled side locks, perhaps a princess, sits regally on a throne, her feet resting comfortably on a nearby footstool. Her long robe features an intricately decorated hem, and she holds a cup securely in her right hand. The statue was discovered above a funerary shaft that contained the remains of a cremation and several grave goods. The statue was found intact at the site of Tell Halaf (ancient Guzana) in 1912. However, it suffered significant damage during a British bombing raid on Berlin in 1943, which destroyed the Tell Halaf Museum where it was being stored. Fortunately, the statue has undergone extensive restoration work and is now on permanent display at the Pergamon Museum. Prior to the war, this impressive work, along with 60 other fantastical figurines of people, scorpions, lions, and birds, formed part of the private collection of Max Freiherr von Oppenheim, a member of the prominent banking dynasty. While working as a diplomat in Cairo, Oppenheim was also an accomplished archaeologist who sought permission to excavate Tell Halaf. He successfully restored the works and ensured they were properly cared for. A few years later, however, the British bombing raid on Berlin destroyed the museum where the statue was housed. Undeterred, Oppenheim made it his personal mission to restore the works, although he tragically passed away a couple of years into the project. Despite his untimely death, the restoration efforts continued after his passing, and the collection has since been completely restored. The statue is now on display at the Pergamon Museum as part of the 'I Am Ashurbapinal' Exhibition (2019), which was made possible through a collaboration with the British Museum.