Dish 1742 - 1743

This silver dish was crafted by Paul de Lamerie, a master silversmith, and is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Note the lion heads, a motif that is present throughout. Lions have been potent symbols of power and courage for millennia, appearing on heraldic crests and royal emblems. These lions, with their fierce expressions, support the dish, suggesting strength and nobility. Their presence evokes a sense of authority, a cultural memory of kings and empires. Consider the evolution of this motif: from the guardian lions of ancient Mesopotamia to the heraldic lions of medieval Europe, and now as decorative elements on this piece. The lion's enduring appeal lies in its ability to project human desires for power, protection, and dominance. The persistent reappearance of the lion motif speaks to our collective subconscious, a primal connection to nature's most powerful creatures.