Zur Herrschersymbolik von Löwenreliefs auf GÜrtelbeschlägen des Späten 9. Und 10. Jahrhunderts

Schulze-Dörrlamm, M. (2008) Zur Herrschersymbolik von Löwenreliefs auf GÜrtelbeschlägen des Späten 9. Und 10. Jahrhunderts. Acta Archaeologica, 59 (2). pp. 387-404. ISSN 0001-5210

Text aarch.59.2008.2.20.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only until 31 December 2028. Download (8MB)

Abstract

Reliefs of lions as symbols of rulership on belt fittings of the late 9th and 10th centuries. In the second half of the 9th and in the 10th century metal fittings on men’s belts were for the first time ornamented with reliefs of individual lions which were not only of apotropaic significance, but were obviously symbols of rulership. The majestically striding lion of the Emperor in Byzantium which we know from the imperial purple silks of the Macedonian dynasty (867–1057) for example also adorned the bronze buckles of numerous Byzantine military belts. These were probably primarily worn by soldiers of the imperial guard, the so-called “lions”.The charging lion on the guilded silver fittings of a belt garniture of the 10th century from Azerbaijan, however, was the emblematic animal of a local ruler for whom the splendid belt had served as insignia.In the second half of the 9th century Carolingians ornamented their belts with an imperial lion, too, as the guilded silver fittings from Loon in the province Drenthe prove. Whether the belt fittings of their successors in the 10th and 11th centuries were adorned with this symbol of rulership is unknown due to a lack of finds. This custom only becomes traceable again in the 12th century when the most distinguished aristocratic families — as for instance the House of Welf — also chose the lion as their heraldic animal.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item