Gold Plaque with horned lion-griffins
Achaemenid Period
c. 6th-4th Century BC
Height: c.13.6 cm
Width: c. 9.8 cm
This ornament depicts the winged lion-monster; the two creatures are shown rampant. In place of the lion’s ears they have those of a bull. The horns curl back over spiky manes and the lion’s neck is covered with a feather pattern. Sharply stylized wings extend over two of the five bosses and serve as decorative balance for the design. Heavy rings attached to the back suggest that the ornament was worn on a leather belt. the similar treatment of the lion motif on different types of objects demonstrates decorative conventions of the period.
Source: Metropolitan Museum
