9th-8th century BC. A ceramic zoomorphic vessel formed as a recumbent lion; rear legs tucked beneath body, forepaws outstretched to front, curled tail held to one side, open jaws baring teeth and short cylindrical spout, small ridged nose, incised detailing to muzzle and eyes, ears held flat against head, mane and coat expressed as incised detail; integral trumpet-style neck. See Ebbinghaus, S., edn., Animal-Shaped Vessels From The Ancient World, Feasting With Gods, Heroes, and Kings, Cambridge Massachusetts, 2019, for discussion and comparable examples. 392 grams, 18cm (7"). Property of a central London gentleman; formerly acquired from a New York gallery; accompanied by a copy of the original Mahboubian Gallery invoice dated 1 May 1972. [a video of this item will be available on Timeline Auctions website.]