Indian Plaque Amulet Depicting Lion

Shaggy beast sprawls with legs spread inside a rumpled, dotted ring.

This plaque amulet depicting a lion is Hindu, from Rajasthan, India. It is coin silver. Animal figures on amulets are generally chosen for the qualities they are thought to carry, such as courage, protection and vigilance. Briefly, a round pendant with a crowded, uneven beaded border and a narrow loop above a small knot-like boss. The creature has a full mane, spread legs and a curled tail at the right. The surface is bright and smooth with scattered dents. It is 0.5 inches long and 0.75 high.

A little crumpled around the edges, utterly sure of itself.