Circa 4th century A.D. A bronze folding knife handle in the form of a leaping lion with a mature mane, stylised facial features, sharp teeth and detailing to its paws and tail. See similar items in the Portable Antiquity Scheme, nos. LEIC-9AB9BE, NLM4722. 71 grams, 78 mm (3 in.). Acquired 1970s-1980s. Ex UK collection. Property of a Portsmouth, UK gentleman. Knives for hunting were generally made with bronze or bone handles and iron blades, they could be straight, folding, or with swivelling handles. Small knives, like our specimen, were mainly used in hunting.