Athar Alrafedain

Abstract

 One of the most outstanding Akkadian metal sculptures is the so called ''Bronze Head'' discovered in Nineveh. This elaborate highly

 
polished work of art is a remarkable work bearing witness to the Akkadian sculptor's long expenence which is full of life and delicate senses. One can say that the sculptor laid through this work the foundation of the oldest sculpture school in the world.
The Bronze Head reflects an image of a royal character, there are many opinions  of  researchers about return to Šarru-kin (Sargon) the founder of the Akkadian dynasty, or to one of his sons or grandsons.
Some pieces of evidence collected from the available artistic samples are presented in this reading to prove the attribution of the Bronze Head to king Šarru-kin( Sargon) of Akkad. The reading elaborates on the style of achieving this work and the characteristics which make the audience feel its liveliness. Indeed, these characteristics clearly express the deeply-rooted charm of the sculpture and reflect the skill of the sculptor in treating, casting and engraving the solid metal of bronze into a hollow bullion.