Provenance:
Art Market, Germany, 1990s.
Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., New York.

Note:
This finely executed and well-preserved stone head represents the grimacing demon Pazuzu. Pazuzu was renowned for protecting humans from plague and evil forces. In Mesopotamian mythology, Pazuzu is the son of Hanba and brother to Humbaba, the demon protector of the Cedar Forest in The Epic of Gilgamesh. Personified as the West Wind—known to bring drought and famine—Pazuzu is often invoked to fight the evil powers of the goddess Lamashtu, which harmed mothers and children during childbirth. Like this present example, many Pazuzu heads are discovered with drilled holes or loops. It is thought they were worn by pregnant women to protect their babies from evil forces.