This volume is a collection of one hundred prints published by Sir Austen Henry Layard in 1853 following his discovery and excavation of the palace of the Assyrian kings at Nineveh. It contains prints and engravings of the many bas-reliefs and other finds made at the site each with an interpretation of its content. The prints consist primarily of lithographs made by Ludwig Grüner (1801-1882) from drawings compiled by Layard and his team which had been sponsored by the Trustees of the British Museum.

It is likely that the volume came into the Royal Collection at the impetus of Prince Albert, the Consort of Queen Victoria (1819-1861). Albert was an accomplished collector, and through the assistance of Grüner amassed a large collection of books, prints and paintings, all of which helped to develop the Royal Library following its re-establishment during the reign of William IV (1830-1837).

Layard also published another folio work similar to this volume (a copy of which is also held by the Royal Library, RCIN 1071068) covering the first discoveries made at the site. The majority of the artefacts discovered by Layard are now held at the British Museum in London and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.