Silver, 10.42 grams, 33.85 mm. 1st-4th century AD. A brooch comprising a lion, modelled in the round, attacking the head of a bull. The lion's body is modelled with rounded haunches and a recurved tail, its mane indicated by a zone of ridged detailing, the head with triangular muzzle and front legs reaching to the triangular head of a bull with short lateral horns. The leaping stance forms an arch beneath the stomach which acts like the bow of a bow-brooch. The sturdy pin is hinged beneath the hindlegs with the catchplate attached beneath the bull's head. Pouncing lion plate brooches were a standard Roman motif, but this example is unusual in being modelled in the round and depicting the prey. Reference: cf. lion brooches in Hattatt, R. Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987 items 1193-5. Good very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection. This item is accompanied by an XRF ancient metal test certificate from Oxford X-ray Fluorescence Ltd.