Ornament with back-to-back lions
This gold applique depicts two rampant lions back to back with their noses touching and tails intertwined. The lions’ feet are placed on the outer edge of the applique, which is bordered by three thick lines of gold. The lions’ mouths are open with their tongues sticking out. Their manes are rendered as thick lines radiating from the backs of their heads. Some musculature is indicated on their bodies with incised lines.
This applique was made by hammering a single sheet of gold and cutting out the openwork parts. It would have been attached originally to clothing, along with many other similar appliques. Some of the reliefs from Persepolis depicting the Persian king show decorations on his robe that are probably meant to represent appliques like this. Lions, signifying strength and raw power, were a popular feature of Achaemenid art, especially royal iconography.
This applique was made by hammering a single sheet of gold and cutting out the openwork parts. It would have been attached originally to clothing, along with many other similar appliques. Some of the reliefs from Persepolis depicting the Persian king show decorations on his robe that are probably meant to represent appliques like this. Lions, signifying strength and raw power, were a popular feature of Achaemenid art, especially royal iconography.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ornament with back-to-back lions
- Period: Achaemenid
- Date: ca. 6th–4th century BCE
- Geography: Iran
- Culture: Achaemenid
- Medium: Gold
- Dimensions: Diam. 1-5/8 in. (4.2 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, 1988
- Object Number: 1988.102.41
- Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Achaemenid
ca. 5th century BCE
Achaemenid
ca. 6th–4th century BCE
Iran
ca. early 1st millennium BCE
Iran
ca. 7th–6th century BCE
Iran
ca. 10th–8th century BCE
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.