Originally, this decorative ornament would have adorned a chariot. A masterfully modelled lion, crowns the top of the piece with two arm-like appendages emerging from the body. However, the ends of these appendages are sculpted in the form of a duck. This combination of elements from different animals is not all that unusual when one considers mythical creatures such as the griffin, satyr, or Pegasus. There might have been a symbolic significance linking the two creatures together, perhaps relating to a fable or proverb. However, it is more likely that, given the nature of this item, the animals were selected for their decorative qualities. The intricate details of the feline’s fur and whiskers, as well as the birds' feathers, are astounding. The artist has captured the formal qualities of the lion while maintaining a level of stylization and abstraction. It is difficult to imagine how sumptuous the item they once adorned must have been.

Antiquities
Ancient Roman