Early 18th-century Wooden Trophy

A polychrome carved wooden decorative element depicting a lion-headed trophy with its mouth slightly open, revealing its fangs. It holds in its mouth a red drape tied on both sides to two rings.
The lion’s head stands out against a background composed of pikes and a saber following the principle of weapon trophies, which were very common in monumental decoration and the decorative arts of the 17th and 18th centuries, where weapons gathered around a central motif symbolize strength and victory.
The reverse side, painted black, clearly reveals the object’s original construction: several wooden elements assembled and reinforced, with a central vertical crossbar intended to hold the whole structure together and, presumably, to allow it to be mounted on a wall. It is therefore most likely an element of architectural decoration or wood paneling, originally designed to be mounted on a wall.

In generally good condition, with minor losses.