The story of the Assyrian necklace that was found in Nimrud, Mosul, Iraq
In 1869 AD, the British explorer and archaeologist Austen Henry Layard found this necklace, earrings, and royal seal, all made of gold, in the Nimrud area in Mosul, Iraq.
It was said that the archaeologist (Austin Layard), before handing over the necklace to the British Museum, loaned it to his wife, Lady Layard, to wear at a royal party hosted by Britain’s Queen Victoria. That necklace was the talk of time and place.
It was said that even Queen Victoria herself admired this necklace, so this Assyrian necklace was called the “Laird Necklace”. "
This Assyrian necklace is inlaid with red onyx and gold and consists of several Babylonian and Assyrian cylinder seals that were combined with golden holders in the shape of a pomegranate fruit between each seal and the other.
To make this charming necklace with earrings, it also consists of two seals of the same color, and there is a small gold lion head above each earring.
There is also a gold-coated seal. It is likely that this seal belongs to the Assyrian king Esarhaddon, who ruled in the period between (681-669) BC. The seal is attached to two lions on each side.
The ring, seal and necklace are currently in the British Museum - London, and this collection is one of the most valuable assets in the British Museum
They are modern seals from different eras of Mesopotamia that have been combined together to form this beautiful necklace that most likely belonged to King Sennacherib's wife or the royal court.
Source: websites