5th]4th century B.C.
Silver
H. 3.9 cm, W. 3.4 cm, Depth 0.8 cm
This circular decoration would have been attached to the end of a ladle handle. The two lions which form the circular shape have their mouths wide open and are shown with forelegs extended and meeting. Their manes and body hair is shown in fish-scale shaped scallops, and the musculature of their rumps is carved in the characteristic "crescent and comma" shaped muscle forms. These elements are all characteristic of Achaemenid period arts. The decorative motifs used on this circular ladle decoration can also be seen on cat. No. 35. This style can also be seen in Greek metalwork of the 6th century BC.
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