Figurine

Ornament from a vessel; bearded ram or bull ornament from rim of vase.

Bronze couchant lioness or panther. The animal is curved and faces outward with its forelegs joined together. The hind legs are beneath the animal and the hind quarters are quite angular. The ears are pointed and situated sticking out strongly to the sides. The eyes are incised and modeled as is the snout. A strange oddity is the broad bib-like beard beneath the head which is covered by incised parallel lines. Running along the centre of the bottom of the animal is a deep groove. The hind end of the animal has been broken away from (probably) a hydria handle of which it formed the right hand lip attachment.