What Bracelets have to do with Severed Heads in Ancient Assyria

Last summer (which feels like FOREVER ago!) my family spent about three weeks traveling in western European countries. Our first stop was London, where we spent nearly a week. 

We spent a lovely rainy afternoon, including tea, in the company of 2 of the 3 of the British members of the team. From left: Lesley, Caroline, myself, my son Ethan, daughter Chloe. Not pictured is my husband, who is playing photographer. 

We made a list before we left home of "must do," and "would like to do if there's time." The British Museum was at the top of the must do list. This was our third trip there, and we had never managed to make time for it before. 

I was super excited about seeing all the ancient Egyptian art and artifacts. There are SO MANY, it does get overwhelming after a while and I noticed I was getting sort of zombie-like by the end. However, ancient Egypt flowed into Assyrian art and I woke right back up. Previous to this, I do not recall ever being exposed to ancient Assyrian art. It's so detailed and textural. 

Protective Spirit, Assyrian, about 865-860 BCE
From Nimrud, North-West Palace, Room G, door e, panel , British Museum

Always on the lookout for a potential blog post, I noticed all the important people; gods, goddesses, and kings, were wearing bracelets or armbands with a flower motif focal. 

Protective Spirit, Assyrian, about 865-860 BCE,
From Nimrud, North-West Palace,
Room S, door c

As you will see as you scroll down and look at the photos, there are several different protective spirits and rules wearing this particular piece of jewelry.

King Ashurnasirpal, flanked by eagle-headed protective spirits.
Assyrian, about 865-860 BC From Nimrud, North-West Palace,
Room F, panels 3-4
British Museum

Pair of female protective spirits with Sacred Tree
Assyrian, about 865-860 BCE
From Nimrud, North-West Palace Room I, panel 16
British Musem

Symbolic scene, Assyrian, about 865-860 BCE
From Nimrud, North-West Palace, Room B, panel 23
British Museum

View of an ancient Assyrian room at the British Museum

However, when we wandered to a room filled with panels that told the story of a great victory in battle, that is where it got really interesting. Because I noticed piles of heads laying in front of the man who was obviously the ruler. And the ruler is rewarding the person who brought him enemy heads with a bracelet. Unfortunately it's a little difficult to see the detail in the photos, but in the next two photos, the pile of heads is bottom center. The photos are clickable, so hopefully you can see the detail better if you click on them. 

Campaigning in Southern Iraq
Assyrian, about 640-620 BCE,
From Ninevah, South-West Palace, Room XXVIII, panels 7-9
British Museum

Campaigning in Southern Iraq
Assyrian, about 640-620 BCE,
From Ninevah, South-West Palace, Court XIX, panels 10-12
British Museum

It's all very gruesome. It also shares important information about their values and culture. The bracelet is an important status symbol. It indicates power, godliness, and apparently it also shows one to be a great warrior and head-taker. I kept thinking of it as the "bracelets for heads" program. I did find an article related specifically to Assyrian war heroes if you are interested in learning more. Rewards for a job well done extends beyond bracelets, but are not as easily depicted in art. 

The British Museum and Google's Cultural Institute have collaborated to bring a virtual tour of some of the exhibits to the web. While visiting in person would be best (because LONDON!), if you can't make it, this is a great way to see some of what the museum offers without the annoying crowds with their cameras and having to pose with every single object they look at. 

When in Houston...

In late October, I was in Houston for my "other job" and a few hours before we got back on the plane to Pittsburgh, we stopped at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  Wow, was I glad we did!

First, there was a very interesting glass exhibit - many goblets, bowls, etc. I took two photos of this exhibit (wish I took more) but these are absolutely gorgeous:

 Beautiful glass egg, with stunning gemstones spilling out.

 An amazingly realistic hand made out of chalcedony.

Next, we walked through the fossil hall.  Oh, how amazingly gorgeous some of these things were.  I can't possibly show you all my photos, but I'll give you some highlights. 

You may know that I love ammonites, and love making ammonite cabochons for bead weaving, tab setting, etc.  They had the most amazing collection of ammonites I have ever seen.  Here's some photos - click to enlarge as they are so detailed and beautiful!

They also had an amazing collection of petrified wood, I have never seen such beautiful petrified wood with gemstone inclusions like this!

Finally, we got to go through the gemstone hall.  OH MY!  Some of these crystals were beyond words gorgeous.  I did take photos of the names of the gemstones, but there would be too many photos for you to go through.  Just look at all this eye candy!

I have always loved gemstones, and this exhibit just cements my love even more!  I hope you enjoyed seeing my very quick trip through the Houston Museum of Natural Science - I do hope I get the opportunity to go back!

Susan Kennedy

2015 Wrap up

WOW another year has passed already.  I know we all wonder where the time goes.  I discovered much of  the time went to beading this year as I was thinking of what to post about this week.

At first I wondered if there would be enough to post because I did not feel I was as productive this year but then as I began to gather pictures I was quite surprised.  I have been so challenged by my team mates and the plethora of new beads that came out it was quite a good year.

The year started out with a bang when we had a Use Your Stash Challenge.  It must have been a pretty uneventful month around here because here is what I was able to finish.

And as always my teammates challenge me with the Component of the month challenges.

I love getting so much inspiration.

I also told you it was the year of new beads and I did have the opportunity to play with quite a few.  Here are halfmoons and kheops.

I was even able to share a couple of tutorials with you.  One for the BiBo Buttons with the 4mm button beads you can find here and the other for the Crescent Flowers using Czechmate 2hole crescents you can find here.

There were also times I set out to challenge myself by going way out of my comfort zone.

I really like what happened with these pieces.

I also set a challenge to finish those unfinished projects.  While I am happy with what I did finish, I added one or two more to the still existing pile.  Isn't that always the way.

Then there were a few that just called me to make them.

And last but not least at all there were the new stitches I learned this year.

On the left is Hubble Stitch and on the right is Honeycomb stitch.

So as you can see looking back I did accomplish quite a bit.  For the most part I am really happy with the results and I am looking forward to seeing where this new year takes me.  Happy New Year to you all and let me know what goals you accomplished in 2015.