Each term, at the college I attend, we are set a project and I have learned to make something with a person in mind so as not to add to my stash of useless dust collectors. This time we were asked to make an object inspired by our summer reading.

During the summer I had read ‘The Leopard’ by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, a story about the civil war and unification of Italy. The protagonist is the Prince of Salina, whose heraldic emblem is the leopard.

I chose this Lion passant more for its looks than authenticity, to make a new buckle for belt of natural hide and for economy decided to use brass.

The lion is made of four layers, the top three formed in my hydraulic press, to give height. For contrast the tongue was added in copper as were two silver fangs. Dennis.