Statuette, 17th Indian Division, 1919 (c)

Silver statuette by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company Limited, hallmarked London, 1919-1920, on an ebonised wooden plinth.

This representation of a Lamassu commemorates the service of the 17th Indian Division in Mesopotamia in World War One (1914-1918). The Lamassu is a mythical beast taking the form of a winged bull or lion with a human head. It is associated with the Assyrian, Babylonian and Sumerian empires of ancient Mesopotamia. One silver label on the plinth lists displays the names, 'Assyria', 'Fathah', 'Sharquat', 'Mushaq' and 'Huwaish'. Another label gives the unit title and the motto, 'Per Arida as Astra' (Through the Desert to the Stars), reflecting the unit's formation and service in Mesopotamia.

The 17th Indian Division was formed in Mesopotamia in 1917, drawing on British Indian Army units already deployed to the Middle East theatre. After World War One ended the Division was part of the occupation force in Iraq and was present there during the Arab Rebellion of 1920.