18-08-2016, 07:33 PM
Other points of comparison to consider.
Ears: The VMs example and the mosaic both have rounded ears that stand out from the head. That is why I went with the Iranian brass bucket. It has the rounded ears and the extended tongue. And it's facing in the forward direction - not looking backward like the mosaic - sans lingua.
Head direction: I don't think there are too many examples of Leo where the lion is looking backward like the image in the mosaic. But I see Marco is ahead of me on this and has already posted one example.
Right or left paw extended: I see there are examples of both in the Leo images already. However, heraldry and the clearly heraldic Leo from London, British Library Add MS 17987, fol. 14r, 1446 (Germany) [Thanks Marco] always use the right. The VMs image has the right paw raised. Could there be any heraldic influence? The mosaic is too early for such influence and it's a lefty.
Ears: The VMs example and the mosaic both have rounded ears that stand out from the head. That is why I went with the Iranian brass bucket. It has the rounded ears and the extended tongue. And it's facing in the forward direction - not looking backward like the mosaic - sans lingua.
Head direction: I don't think there are too many examples of Leo where the lion is looking backward like the image in the mosaic. But I see Marco is ahead of me on this and has already posted one example.
Right or left paw extended: I see there are examples of both in the Leo images already. However, heraldry and the clearly heraldic Leo from London, British Library Add MS 17987, fol. 14r, 1446 (Germany) [Thanks Marco] always use the right. The VMs image has the right paw raised. Could there be any heraldic influence? The mosaic is too early for such influence and it's a lefty.