The Assyrian king appears to raise his right hand and point his right index finger in a gesture of worship. He holds a mace, the symbol of authority. The Sacred Tree (which is probably a palm tree) lies at the middle of the relief. The king is protected by two human-headed and winged Apkallu figures. The relief was placed exactly behind the king's throne. Note the "standard inscription" of Ashurnasirpal II, which horizontally spans the lower half of the relief. Neo-Assyrian era, 865-860 BCE. From Room B (the throne room), North-West palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu; Biblical Calah), northern Mesopotamia, Iraq. (The British Museum, London).