Round box made of carved boxwood depicting a lion crushing a - Lot 39

Round box made of carved boxwood depicting a lion crushing a snake in front of a stylized tree on a checkered background, with a scalloped brass mount and a hinge adorned with fleurs-de-lis. Beautifully crafted. Germany, late 15th century/first half of the 16th century Diameter 8.8 cm Inventory number 25.067 inscribed under the lid (slots) The allegory of the lion suffocating the serpent is a Christological symbol of the victory of Good over Evil. The lion embodies triumphant strength as well as resurrection, according to the medieval belief that its breath could restore life to its stillborn cubs. Conversely, the serpent represents evil and the devil: as the tempter of Adam and Eve, it is held responsible for the fall of humanity. In this symbolic opposition, Christ, likened to the lion, defeats the devil represented by the serpent and delivers humanity from original sin.