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VINTAGE SILVER HERALDIC LION DORMANT PENDANT

Christine Alexander Fine Jewellery


Regular price £53.00
VINTAGE SILVER HERALDIC LION DORMANT PENDANT

Heraldic Silver pendant designed with a highly detailed lion dormant atop a rock; his outstretched paw rests on a shield with a fleur de Lys on, and a pike trapped underneath. Another shield featuring the cross of St. George faces him. 

CONDITION: Very good, patina and a mark on the reverse.
HALLMARK: None
SIZE: 26x18mm

As there is no hallmark it is nigh on impossible to date the piece; however I can state with certainty it is vintage, as it was part of a collection belonging to a Birmingham jeweller, which resided in his granddaughter's loft for approximately 28 years until she brought it to me to be sold.

Lions in heraldry are depicted in set positions; most famously the lion rampant, which rears on its hind paws and appears on the British Royal coat of arms. A lion dormant is lying down, the eyes are closed, and the head rests upon the extended forepaws. Lions dormant are seldom met with, but they occur in the arms of Lloyd, of Stockton Hall, near York, and Aylsworth of Essex.

There is also a lion dormant at the feet of the tomb of Richard I of England, who also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine and Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, and Count of Poitiers, Anjou, Maine, and Nantes, and was overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period. He was the third of five sons of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard is known as Richard Cœur de Lion (Norman French: Le quor de lion) or Richard the Lionheart because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior. 

I'm not a heraldry expert! I do like to research my pieces, but I have hit a wall with the particulars of the symbolism here. Some messages have been left on sites where experts do reside, and I shall update the listing should I learn more.

I try to take clear pictures and describe the condition as accurately as I can. Please note that all vintage and pre-owned pieces, will show some wear from age and/or use. . Please ask any questions before buying.

 

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