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2012 Summer Special Exhibition Invitation to the Monster World: Tales from the Mythic Past Winged Spirit-shaped Pendant Achaemenid period, c. 4th century BC Gold with inlay of semiprecious stones Guardians In Persia, wild goat horns were placed on the heads of lion-griffins, protective spirits in West Asian tradition. The body of the creature on this pendant was further made into the form of the Egyptian deity Horus, who protected the king, and given two pairs of wings of West Asian spirits. Perhaps this was an expression of the most powerful guardian of Persia, which spanned across east and west of the ancient Orient.
Ancient people found divine power in beings that surpassed their human strength and in fierce animals such horned and tusked creatures and winged and clawed birds of prey. Overwhelming natural phenomena were also associated with images of such beasts and imaginary creatures, which combined animal and human being.
These beings represented forms of gods and spirits that brought together the powerful prayers of people. This exhibition presents over 120 works of universal creatures, which transcended time and place, as well as their various transformations from west to east and from east to west, in Japanese and overseas collections. Tales from the mythic past that tell us of these magnificent monsters are also explored here.
Organized by MIHO MUSEUM, Ancient Orient Museum (Tokyo), Kyoto Shimbun Newspaper Co., Ltd. With the cooperation of The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum, Sekido Museum of Art, and Izan Collection Supported by Shiga Prefecture, Shiga Prefectural Board of Education, NHK Broadcasting Otsu Office, Biwako Broadcasting Co., Ltd., and FM-Kyoto Inc.
Wings and Horns
Seated Spirit with Wings Silver and electrum Seated Spirit with Wings Silver and electrum Heroes and Imaginary Creatures Imaginary animals with human faces and later heroes to fight against them emerged in West Asian art. This rhyton evokes a scene from the epic of Gilgamesh, the most famous hero in West Asia. Although the hero, who wielded great strength to defeat monsters, the messengers of the gods, he was unable to attain eternal life in the mythical story. The liquids that flowed out of this drinking vessel (below) were sure to be filled with supernatural powers. Drinking Vessel in the Shape of the Hero Fighting a Winged Bull Pre-Achaemenid period, 7th–6th century BC Silver and gold
Seated Spirit with Wings Silver and electrum
Kneeling Spirit with Horns (below) Electrum Southeast Iran, late 3000 BC–early 2000 BC
Saturday, July 7, to Sunday, August 19, 2012 Kneeling Spirit with Horns (below) Electrum Southeast Iran, late 3000 BC–early 2000 BC
These sculptures possess the sacred attributes of wings and claws and horns and hoofs respectively. They appear to be manifestations of heavenly and earthly gods, who were prayed to for fair weather, abundant harvests, or good game. The people of the ancient city Aratta, a land that appears in Mesopotamian myths, which was said to have been located far east of Uruk and rivaled Sumer, perhaps worshipped them.
Fawn-shaped Rhyton Black Sea region, 4th century BC Gilt silver Drinking Vessel in the Shape of the Hero Fighting a Winged Bull Pre-Achaemenid period, 7th–6th century BC Silver and gold
As a result of an oracle, the most popular hero in Greek mythology, Hercules, had to perform twelve labors. This receptacle (above) is reminiscent of a scene in which Hercules visited the cave of his friend, a part-human, part-horse centaur, on the way to his fourth labor. There, he fought with the centaurs who were angry at him during a banquet. Perhaps this drinking vessel urged one not to lose one’s self control.


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