Finial
8th-7th century BCE
Description
This finial is comprised of two rampant, confronted lions, joined at the forepaws and hindpaws forming rings that would have once held the pin of the finial. The stylized lions have long, arching necks and hollow bodies that are much shorter and more naturally proportioned than the other lion finials (188.1972.A and 1931.6). The lions stand on their hindlimbs, with tails ending in a single spiral. There are a series of horizontal lines along the midsections of the animals, which possibly represent ribs, and the digits of the paws are indicated. The necks are more three-dimensional than the bodies and have a raised, rope-like ridge along the spine. The heads are more detailed than the other animal finials. They are small with prominent rounded ears, large eyes (in the form of raised ellipses), and open snarling mouths revealing large canine teeth; a spur of metal is in each mouth, reaching from top to bottom. The maxilla and the tops of the heads have additional molded lines. This finial is shorter, heavier, and much more naturalistic (at least in the body forms) than the other two (188.1972.A and 1931.6).
Dimensions
10.7 x 4.6 x 1.7 cm (4 3/16 x 1 13/16 x 11/16 in.) Inner diam. ring bottom: 0.8 cm (5/16 in.) Inner diam. ring top: 0.7 cm (1/4 in.)
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