the face in the form of a lion’s head, with detailed facial muscles, eyes, ears and stippled mane, the forelegs flanking the face. Pierced horizontally at the concave, rounded top for attachment to another surface, perhaps a plate, mirror-case, or handle base.
For comparable lion-skin attachments, cf: Andriomenou, Bulletin de Correspondence Hellenique, vol. 99 (1975), p. 557, fig. 26, and vol. 104 (1980), p. 613, fig. 66; also compare Richter, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Bronzes in the Metropolitan Museum ofArt, p. 33, nos. 52 and 53.
Condition: One paw missing, with good green/brown patina, otherwise intact and in good condition with custom mount.
Dimensions: height 2 inches (5 centimeters)
Provenance: Private Californian collection, acquired from the trade in the early 1970's