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Realistic representation of a lion made with casting technique, chiseled and gilded.Details of the muzzle and mane rendered with great precision. Sheet metal base with repoussed, chiseled and gilded floral ornamentation. The pronounced arching and lack of a full base indicates that this is an antique appliqué or finial, not a stand-alone cabinet figurine. In Baroque and Classical goldsmithing, lions often adorned the lids of large tableware, such as soup tureens (tertiaries) or wine coolers. In the 18th century, lions in gilded silver or gilded bronze (ormolu) were a popular motif crowning luxury mantel clocks. The base could be matched to a clock case made of wood, marble or other metal construction.