The Timeline of Art History   The Metropolitan Museum of Art
World MapsTimelines / RegionsThematic EssaysWorks of ArtIndex  
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)

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.


Open full-size image



  • Related Timeline(s)

    Related Index Terms

    Material and Technique

    Object

    Subject Matter/Theme

    Technical Glossary


    MoveSeparatorPrint
    Close
    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)