Handle

Fine, solid-cast horizontal handle designed to stand upright above the rim of a vessel, probably a shallow basin. The handle proper is a sagging rectangle in outline, roughly square in section, with rounded corners, the edges covered in grooved and beaded mouldings; the attachment plaque connects both ends of the handle, is straight across the top with openwork, pendant figural relief below: sharp-leaved central palmette pendant from large S-shaped volutes; on either side below handle ends, a fine panther mask pendant beneath the handle as if biting a smaller, pendant, sharp-edged palmette, also topped with volutes. The volutes have shallow rounded channels through their centers. Intact; corroded with fine green patina.