Two Frieze Designs with Acanthus Scrolls combined with a Lion and Eagle on top and Two Rams below, Plate 5 from: 'Decorative friezes and foliage' (Ornamenti di fregi e fogliami) 1645 - 1650

Stefano della Bella etched these frieze designs with foliage sometime in the 17th century. The acanthus scrolls, so prevalent in classical ornament, intertwine with powerful symbols: lions, eagles, and rams. Consider the lion, a solar symbol of strength, courage and kingship, juxtaposed with the eagle, an emblem of vision, power and spiritual ascent. We see the lion not just in Della Bella’s frieze but also in the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, millennia before. Over time, the lion morphs—from a symbol of royal power in ancient Mesopotamia to a heraldic emblem in medieval Europe, yet its underlying essence of might remains. These symbols speak to our collective memory. The eternal recurrence of forms and symbols across epochs whispers of humanity’s deep-seated hopes and fears. These animal forms are powerful psychological forces, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Note how the artist captured their intensity. We see here the cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings throughout history.