Roman Bronze Lion Patera Handle Fitting
2nd-3rd century A.D. Displaying a naturalistic lion's head projecting from a facetted bar with piercing for attachment; recessed eyes to accept separate inserts. Cf. Christies, London, A Peaceable Kingdom: The Leo Mildenberg Collection of Ancient Animals, 26th-27th October, 2004, 216, for a bear's head of similar style. 100 grams, 88 mm (3 3/8 in.).

‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.