Title: Squatting Lion
Date: 12th or early 13th century AD
Location: Iran
Materials: quaternary alloy, cast and engraved
Dimensions: 13cm (height)
Accession Number: MTW 916
Other Notes:
The body of the lion has been ingeniously compressed to include merely the protome and the rump, and though lions do not squat this conveys a very lively impression. The legs have jewelled anklets and the neck an engraved chain or fillet reminiscent of a leash. The slit and the flat projection in the beast’s back indicate that it was a support from some horizontal object, such as a large tray.
Bibliography:
J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.102, p.95.
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