This intriguing exhibition is currently on tour from the British Museum and will be shown at the CaixaForum Madrid until 12 January 2020.
The collection brings together more than 200 ancient objects from the Assyrian, Babylonian, Phoenician and Persian empires, as well as the court of Alexander the Great, exploring how they have been used through history as a means of conveying status and seemingly limitless power.
From extraordinarily delicate pieces of carved ivory and glittering jewels, to pieces of furniture, ceramics, glass and precious metals, to large Assyrian reliefs, the objects date from between 900 and 300 BC.
The development of such artefacts during this period was extremely important as a means for ancient empires to compete and interact, and visitors are treated to a fascinating journey back in time where matters of taste, and artisanal savoir-faire, defined the economic and political power of those who ruled them.
