Mesopotamian Lyre

source: British Museum
(published on Facebook by Veterodoxia)
no copyright infringement intended

Silver lyre; the silver which covers this lyre and its bull's head, and the shell, lapis lazuli and red limestone inlay decoration are ancient, but the frame, the pegs, strings and bridge are modern; the original silver pegs are exhibited separately; the panel on the front of the lyre depicts fallow deer and a tree on a hill, lions attacking a goat, and a lion attacking a gazelle. Excavated in Ur (present day Iraq). Date: 2600 BCE (British Museum)



(Old Masters)