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

This is Joost Janszoon's wooden lion supporting an escutcheon, likely made for the Stadholder’s chair in The Hague. The lion, a symbol of courage and royalty, stands guard, clutching a shield—a protective emblem of power and authority. This pairing of lion and shield echoes through time, from ancient Mesopotamian reliefs to medieval heraldry. Consider the Lion Gate at Mycenae, where two lionesses flank a central column, embodying strength and guardianship. Our lion, though more domesticated, carries this potent legacy. Notice the lion’s gaze, both regal and weary. It evokes the burdens of leadership, a psychological weight mirrored in the stoic faces of Roman emperors. This motif, born from humanity's primal need for protection, resurfaces, evolves, and yet remains anchored in our collective memory.