Here we see a bronze handle with a lion’s head holding the bronze ring from its mouth. This handle was cast sometime between 100 C.E. – 300 C.E. and depicts the lion in a highly realistic manner with much care given to the proportion of its protruding snout, fierce teeth, and vibrant mane. The heads of two iron nails remain from where the handle was hammered onto the surface from which it rested against. A series of concentric circles frame the lion’s head with beautiful precision, while the handle’s ring is fully intact and symmetrical.
This piece is in excellent condition and has a diameter of approximately 13 cm. The bronze has been cleaned and cared for, and all of its original details remain as fresh as the day they were cast. The lion has long been a symbol of strength and pride, and this piece continues to resonate across two thousand years of history.