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 wooden lion supporting an escutcheon by Joost Janszoon was made for the Stadholder’s Chair in the Hof van Holland, The Hague. The lion, a potent symbol of courage and royalty, firmly clutches a shield, or escutcheon, which would have borne the arms of the Stadholder, asserting his dominion. This combination of regal animal and protective emblem has roots stretching back through heraldry to ancient Mesopotamia, where lions guarded temples and palaces, symbols of divine power. Consider the lion rampant adorning medieval battle standards, or the lions flanking the throne in countless royal portraits. Each instance echoes a primal association with strength, leadership, and guardianship. Here, in the Hof van Holland, the lion continues its symbolic journey, reaffirming the Stadholder's authority. Observe how the lion’s stern gaze and the shield’s blank face evoke a deep psychological resonance. It is a subconscious connection that transcends time, and a potent reminder that symbols never truly die.