Lead Lion Head

[SeptimusT]

Is anyone familiar with this type of artifact? I found a couple old posts about similar objects here, but none with much information or discussion of the debate regarding the dating.

It is made of lead alloy, and in the shape of a lion. It is stylistically similar to bronze and ceramic Roman examples, but the Portable Antiquities Scheme has almost all lead examples as being post-medieval imitations on the basis of their solid construction and material. I haven’t found any that had a documented context, and it seems that the dating of nearly identical examples comes down only to the opinions (with little evidence) of the archaeologist who examined them.

Mine is a slightly different shape from the British examples, and is said to be from the Balkans. There is no trace of attachment or the ‘iron wires’ described on the British examples, although there is a very slightly (not necessarily intentional) depression near the center. Does anyone have any idea of the date of these, or know of any evidence that points to a Roman or post-medieval date?

My example:



A ceramic example from Corinth:



Various Roman Bronze Lion Heads



Some from the PAS:

'Roman': https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/75934
'Roman': https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/660631 
'Roman': https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/86373
'Post-Medieval': https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/434659
'Post-Medieval': https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/914996
'Post-Medieval': https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/434659

[SC]

I see no reason why this is not Roman.

I will try to post more later with any references which I can find but the short version is:

Roman bronze lion appliques are well documented.

This matches them in style (as your attachment of Roman bronze lions shows).

Other types of Roman lead appliqué are common.

So why not a Roman lead lion appliqué?

It might have once been covered in thin sheeting - silver or bronze?

SC