Statuette of a Lion, 380-246 BC. Lions in Egyptian art are usually shown prone and relaxed, and usually represent the king. But this statuette probably represents the lion god Mahes who had a great temple at Leontopolis ("Lion-City") in the Delta where lions were kept. We know from classical authors that the temple maintained musicians to play to the lions to calm their nerves.

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Size: 5000px × 3603px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 30, art, cleveland, dynasty, egypt, heritage, late, limestone, museum, period, sculpture, unknown