Etruscan, An Etruscan bronze lion handle, early 5th century BC

Etruscan

An Etruscan bronze lion handle, early 5th century BC

Bronze

Length: 6.6 cm

Further images

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The animated lion is shown springing forward with his held turned back. The face and neck is characterised by decoration depicting the lion's fur and mane, with his mouth open...

Provenance

Private collection, Zurich, 1990s

With Cahn, Basel, 2010

Private collection, Switzerland, acquired from the above

Literature

This lion would have originally have formed part of a handle attached to a larger Etruscan bronze vessel, a prong can still be found on the front paws that would have been used for attachment. The Etruscans were master metalsmiths. Ready access to copper and iron, which were abundant in Etruria, led to the widespread production of small, finely crafted bronze objects that served both decorative and functional purposes. For a similar example see, The Walters Art Museum, accession no. 54.89.

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