A rare Scythian Gold Lion, ca. 1st millennium BCE

This small but stunning piece has a snout detailed with indented nose and mouth, face clearly detailed with eye and mane.  The back curves downward and then up again at hind legs detailed with paws.  Pierced along the bottom on each side in front and back.

Dimensions: Length 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters)

Condition: More fragile at the bottom and back of the piece, gold sheet starting to curl out on the bottom, small loss on one side, the same side has a small mineral deposit.  First fashioned in clay, then overlaid with gold, remains of clay still visible inside.

Provenance:  Phillip Adams Collection of Ancient Art, Sydney Australia since 1970s. Phillip Andrew Hedley Adams, AO, FAHA, FRSA (b. 12 July 1939) is an Australian humanist, social commentator, broadcaster, public intellectual, and farmer.  Adams has been appointed both a Member and subsequently an Officer of the Order of Australia; and received numerous awards. In 1997 the International Astronomical Union named a minor planet orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter after him. A National Trust poll elected him one of Australia's 100 national living treasures.