Antiquities

Antiquities

Applique: Eagle-Griffin Tearing a Hare (Harness Ornament)

Raised from a single sheet of gold, except for the griffin's head and neck, which was cast. The ears and combs of the griffin are individually worked. Four eyes in the back of the plaque were used for attachment. Several other coarsely made holes speak for later reuse. The eyes of the eagle-griffin, the feathers of the wings, its thighs and feet, and the ears of the hare were originally inlaid with stones such as turquoise. Lapis lazuli (now missing) was inlaid in the chest.