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The original in hammered bronze is at Olympia in Greece where
it was found. The delicate detail and the stylization of the
design make this fascinating object of antiquity strangely modern.
It originally was one of three such heads serving as handles
fastened below the rim of a bronze cauldron. In classical mythology
the griffin was a composite creature usually having the body
of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. There were also
fantastic interpretations that often combined these qualities
with those of a serpent. They were believed to live in the mountains
of Scythia (now in southern Russia). It was further believed
that they found and guarded gold. In later times the griffin
became a symbol of strength and vigilance. |
