The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Mosaic with Lion

North African (Hammam Lif, Tunisia)

6th century

Not on view

Is this a Lion of Judah, or just a lion? Depictions of lions often accompanied ritual inscriptions in Levantine mosaics, but they also became more prevalent in mosaics found in villas, basilicas, and churches after the Byzantine conquest of North Africa. The placement of this section alongside other wildlife scenes on the mosaic floor indicates that the lion here reflects a regional style rather than the specific Jewish symbol.

Mosaic with Lion, Stone tesserae, North African (Hammam Lif, Tunisia) — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Mosaic with Lion

Date: 6th century

Geography: Made in Tunisia, excavated Hammam Lif Synagogue

Culture: North African (Hammam Lif, Tunisia)

Medium: Stone tesserae

Dimensions: 29 5/16 × 42 1/4 × 1 5/8 in., 172 lb. (74.5 × 107.3 × 4.1 cm, 78 kg)

Classification: Mosaics

Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum, New York, Museum Collection Fund (05.18)

Rights and Reproduction: Photo by Brooklyn Museum

The Met

Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.