30TH DYNASTY, TO PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 380-30 B.C.

Sculptor's models primarily date from the New Kingdom to the Ptolemaic period and depict their subjects – royals, deities, animals, and even architectural elements – at various stages of creation. Some sculptures appear more complete, such as the present example, while others are left in a partial or unfinished state. Many examples feature guidelines for artists, as can be observed on the reverse of this model. While some scholars have theorized these objects were used as guide pieces or teaching tools for sculptors to create larger, finer versions for temples or tombs, it is more likely that they were ritual or votive in function (see p. 3 in N. Tomoum, op. cit.).

This naturalistic depiction of a lion features a pear-shaped head with small eyes and a grooved, almost smiling mouth that is mirrored above by the shallow modelling for the whiskers. The chiseled jaw is framed by inward-curving locks. Below are two well-articulated forepaws. Its form recalls several funerary bed legs dating to the Ptolemaic period (see K. A. Kitchen, Catalogue of the Egyptian Collection in the National Museum, Rio de Janeiro, vol. I, p. 243; vol. II, pls. 223-224, no. 188 and O. Perdu and E. Rickal, The Egyptian Collection of the Musée de Picardie, Paris, p. 99).