A bronze articulated folding tripod stand with extensible trellis legs; the upper end of each ornamented with a cast bronze female bust facing outwards with long curled hair and a diadem on a rectangular-section hollow mount, an L-shaped bracket to the rear to support the table-top; at the lower end of each leg a rectangular-section collar and foot formed as a lion's head with socket above and claw beneath; the scissor-joint of each leg covered with a domed discoid plate with concentric ring detail; a small hook to the sliding mechanism on one leg.

PROVENANCE:
Ex Miller Walsh collection.

FOOTNOTES:
Folding tripod stands are known from the ancient world, in both Greek and Roman contexts. The purpose of such folding stands varied. Some were used as the supports for campaign tables during military activities, with a circular board inserted onto the pegs to lock the legs into place. Others were used as the support frames for bronze bowls, either for washing or for ritual purposes. Some such tripods formed the base for travelling altars, again often used by the military on campaign. The Pythian priestess of the Delphic oracle is believed to have used a tripod bench or 'olmos' as a platform from which to issue oracular pronouncements, while at other times a laurel wreath was placed upon it.