Design for pendant with lion with horns
16th century
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-959
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Design for Pendant with Lion with Horns *16th century, Unknown artist, Smithsonian American Art Museum* This 16th-century design a fierce lion adorned with majestic horns, conceived as a pendant in the realm of jewelry. Crafted during the Renaissance era, when elaborate personal adornments symbolized status and power, such designs served as blueprints for skilled goldsmiths. The lion, a timeless emblem of strength and nobility in European heraldry, gains a mythical twist with its horns—evoking perhaps unicorn-like mysticism or exotic influences from global trade routes. Acquired through...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...