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 sculpture, created in 1511 by Joost Janszoon, is a testament to the skill of early Renaissance craftsmanship. The piece depicts a lion supporting an escutcheon, a shield bearing a coat of arms, likely symbolizing a noble family or institution. This sculpture, originally a part of the Stadholder's chair in the Hof van Holland, The Hague, exemplifies the use of heraldic imagery in decorative arts during the period. The lion, a powerful symbol of strength and authority, showcases the artist's detailed carving techniques, while the intricate details of the shield speak to the significance of lineage and power in 16th century Dutch society.