Vases › Patera (shallow bowl) Handle in the Form of a Lion

Patera (shallow bowl) Handle in the Form of a Lion

late 6th century BCE

This handle for a patera, a shallow cup-shaped vessel, is in the form of an outstretched leaping lion. The handle consists of larger palmetted-shaped end which the lion rests its forepaws, and the smaller, heart-shaped end provides a base for the lion's hindlegs. The hindlegs are formed as a single element, probably for stability. The head is carefully modelled, with a rippled snout, lips, eyebrows, ears, and mane.

Period

Archaic period

Date

late 6th century BCE

Culture

Greek

Medium

Leaded bronze

Findspot

Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Lakonia

Museum

Harvard Art Museums

Accession Number

2004.23

Image Source

harvard

Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)