Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An ancient lion head applique molded from deep aubergine glass and mounted into a modern 20K gold pendant created by a noted European goldsmith. The glass applique was perhaps made for attachment at the base of a pitcher handle. For collectors of Roman glass, some colors are more prized than others. The brilliance of aubergine is certainly among these. It is one of the rarest and most desirable of all Roman glass colors. In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Greek Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. That lion's fur was believed to be impenetrable to attacks, since according to legend it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than swords with the power to slice through armor. In the end, Hercules defeated the lion by strangling it and wore its skin. Size: 1.625" H (4.1 cm) mounted; total weight: 14.5 grams
Lions were also favorite iconography for buildings, coins, and statues in the ancient world. Examples include the Lion Gate to the Citadel of Mycenae, the Terrace of the Lions on the island of Delos, and the lion hunt mosaic from Pella featuring Alexander engaged in a lion hunt.
Provenance: ex-old French collection, acquired in early 1970s; ex-Frances Artuner collection, Belgium, acquired in the 1960s
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#143859
Condition
Aubergine glass lion head applique is ancient. 20K gold setting is modern. Beautiful, highly symbolic, and wearable!