Lion head terminal, Iron Age II, 9th century B.C.
Northwestern Iran; Excavated at Hasanlu
Bronze; 4.8 x 2.17 in. (12.19 x 5.51 cm)
Rogers Fund, 1963 (63.109.1)
Northwestern Iran; Excavated at Hasanlu
Bronze; 4.8 x 2.17 in. (12.19 x 5.51 cm)
Rogers Fund, 1963 (63.109.1)
This powerful snarling lion has a slightly protruding tongue. The animal's muzzle is wrinkled and solid spheres form the eyes. The object is one of a pair (its partner is in Tehran). It is cast solid in the form of a lion's head, with a hollow cylindrical neck with four openings near the base and a solid tang below. When excavated, no other object or material was found near the pair to give a clue to their function, although they may have been placed on an article of furniture, perhaps at the top of the uprights of a chair.

















