Lion Protome Spout

A lion's head and forepaws are carved on a small curving plaque with rounded corners. From the Temple of Apedemak? There are perforations at both ends and a square hole between the forepaws, which rest on a small base. The curve of the plaque indicates that the piece was mounted onto a round basin with pins drawn through the circular perforations. Because the piece is drilled through, it must have been a spout. We can say nothing about the basin which it belonged, since there are no parallels from Meroe or Egypt.