The piece was found in 1893 in the rural estate of Huertas de Bayona, in Villarrodrigo, in the Spanish province of Jaén.

1] It was dated by Teresa Chapa [es] at the late 4th century BC.

[4] However, despite the rough carving, Carmen Aranegui sees no reason to classify the sculpture as an Iberian (Pre-Roman) artifact, rather considering the lion as art from the Roman republican period.

[1] The lion is depicted sheltering a human head (bearded and with moustache) within the claws.

[5] Chapa interprets the sculpture in the usual vein of the animal protecting the dead one while at the same time carrying their soul.