Lion Supporting an Escutcheon, from the Top of a Balustrade or the Backrest of the Stadholder’s Chair in the Rolzaal in the Hof van Holland, The Hague 1511 - 1515

This wooden sculpture, created by Joost Janszoon between 1511 and 1515, depicts a lion supporting an escutcheon. The lion is carved in a realistic style, with detailed fur and musculature. It sits atop a multi-tiered base, which was originally part of the backrest of the Stadholder's chair in the Hof van Holland, a grand palace in The Hague. This sculpture is a prime example of Renaissance-era craftsmanship and symbolism. The lion, a symbol of strength and power, was a popular motif in heraldic imagery, particularly in the Netherlands during this period.