Paolo Giordano II Orsini, Duke of Bracciano 1627 - 1637

Johann Jakob Kornmann cast this bronze bust of Paolo Giordano II Orsini in the 17th century. At its center, the imposing lion's head on Orsini's armor is more than mere decoration; it speaks of primal power and authority. This emblem echoes the ancient world where the lion symbolized strength, courage, and divine right. Think of the Greek myth of the Nemean lion, whose skin Hercules wore as a sign of his triumph over untamed nature. Similarly, in ancient Egypt, the lioness-headed goddess Sekhmet embodied the destructive power of the sun. Across cultures, this potent symbol resurfaces, adapted and reinterpreted. It’s a reminder of how certain archetypes persist in our collective consciousness, reappearing in new forms to evoke deep-seated emotions and ancestral memories. This lion, therefore, is not simply a heraldic device, but a powerful force engaging us on a visceral level.