Impressive hand-carved stone relief inspired by the monumental art of the ancient Hittite civilization of Anatolia. The front of the relief depicts a procession of stylized deities wearing characteristic tall conical headdresses, patterned garments and traditional curled shoes. Below the procession is a large winged bird with outstretched wings, creating a striking composition inspired by the iconography of the ancient Near East. The reverse is carved with a lion-headed mythological guardian creature featuring an elaborately decorated body, reminiscent of the protective beings found in Hittite and Mesopotamian art. Both sides are carved, making this an attractive sculptural display piece. The composition is strongly inspired by the famous Hittite rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya near Hattusa, while remaining a modern artistic interpretation rather than an archaeological artefact. The relief is carved from natural layered stone, whose contrasting light and iron-rich brown tones beautifully emphasize the engraved details. A decorative and collectible work for enthusiasts of Ancient Near Eastern, Hittite and Mesopotamian art. Condition: Good overall condition with minor signs of handling and natural irregularities to the stone. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description. Dimension Height: 19 cm Width: 12 cm Depth: 1.5 cm Weight: 586 g Provenance: Private collection, Freiburg, Germany K153-2