Plaque in the form of a striding lion

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silver plaque, shaped as a striding lion, hails from the Early Bronze Age in the Ancient Near East, around the early 3rd millennium BCE. Measuring just under 2 inches long, its petite scale belies its powerful presence, crafted as a low-relief metalwork piece likely intended for personal adornment, such as jewelry or an amulet. Lions were potent symbols in Mesopotamian and Levantine cultures, embodying ferocity, royal authority, and divine protection—qualities that made them ideal for both elite ornaments and ritual objects. The unknown artisan's skill shines in the repoussé te...