• r2-30-10
    Hindquarters of small archaic recumbent lion, side view. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Hindquarters of Small Archaic Recumbent Lion

Date
560-550 BC, Lydian
Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
NoEx60.020
Material
Marble, Stone
Object Type
Sculpture
Sculpture Type
Animal, Lion
Site
Sardis
Findspot
Findspot not indicated by finder.
Description

The lion lies on a shallow plinth which follows his shape. The tail comes up over the rump and curls in, tucked between the r. knee and body, then blends into the rump at back. The feet are carefully worked, showing the claws. The back and legs are worked in simple planes in typical archaic manner. Traces of abrasive scratches appear on the l. side of the body in front of the l. leg.

Comparison, particularly with Cat. 27 (Figs. 107-109), shows that the small lion, only half the size of the altar lions, belongs to the same stylistic group. The soft, frog-like folded legs might look more developed but the emphasis on sharp, large claws is often an early trait (cf. Gabelmann, Lowenbild, 73, pl. 5, Perachora, pl. 15). The piece is mid-6th C. B.C. (or earlier?)

Condition

Marble, heavily discolored brownish red.

Only rear end preserved, from middle of back and in front of feet.

Dimensions
P.H. 0.098; H. of plinth 0.012-0.18; W. across body 0.07, with hind legs 0.095; P.L. of lion 0.13.
Comments
See Also
Bibliography
Author
GMAH