A lion's head carved out of amethyst has been set into a golden base decorated with baboons.

(Image credit: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1987.1, Cleveland Museum of Art (Public Domain))

QUICK FACTS

Name: Lion's head pendant

What it is: An amethyst-and-gold pendant

Where it is from: Sudan

When it was made: Circa 1069 to 715 B.C.

According to the Cleveland Museum of Art, the pendant measures about 1.4 inches (3.5 centimeters) tall. A hole just under the lion's chin pierces the pendant, which would have been suspended on a string.

The purple amethyst and gold frame are a unique combination. The lion is similar to pieces found in the ancient Egyptian game senet , in which players would move their pawns across a board with 30 squares. The amethyst likely dates to the New Kingdom period (circa 1550 to 1070 B.C.), according to a 1996 study of the artifact.…