Lion Attacking a Dromedary -1867

G. Mansfield · 26th December 2018, 10:57 PM

Through gaining a museum studies minor at the University of Pittsburgh, I was working within the Carnegie Museum of Natural History quite often for class research. One of their most popular exhibits is the diorama of "Lion Attacking a Dromedary" (1867) displaying European 19th century Orientalism stereotypes to exotify North Africa in dramatic scenes.
This particular diorama is an imaginary story Edouard Verreaux created to elaborate about "a courier traveling through the North African desert carrying letters and other precious items from one village to the next. Suddenly, two fierce lions appear and charge at him. The courier draws his musket and kills one of the lions, but it is knocked from his hand. He unsheathes his dagger as another lion leaps to attack his camel..."

The rifle laying on the lioness appears to be a Moroccan snaphaunce while the dagger is a flyssa type weapon with an up-curving blade containing simple brass inlays and patterns. The hilt is brass covered over wood without the common animal head pommel. In my personal collection, I have a very similar knife. I always assumed that it was of a later manufacture (early 20th) than the more common typical flyssa that had a higher quality of workmanship. This diorama was created in 1867 in France and is stated to be original. So, this places the thought into question that these flyssa-like variants (up-curving) must be of older origin rather than later? Thoughts, comments, and opinions appreciated.

kahnjar1 · 27th December 2018, 12:14 AM

The rifle shown is in fact an Albanian Tanchika....
Stu

ariel · 27th December 2018, 01:07 AM

“ Tigers? In Africa?”
Monty Python

“ Lions ? In Albania?”

kahnjar1 · 27th December 2018, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

“ Tigers? In Africa?”
Monty Python

“ Lions ? In Albania?”

Yep, always look on the bright side..................

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 31st December 2018, 02:07 PM

YEP I HAD TO LOOK IT UP ANYWAY!

SEE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_lion

The art done in the mid 1800s by EUGENE DELACROIX SEE https://www.wikiart.org/en/eugene-de...n-morocco-1854

entitled Lion hunt in Morocco.

Pukka Bundook · 31st December 2018, 03:26 PM

Please forgive if this sounds facetious, but there is a painting of a lion attacking a carriage horse in England of all places.

It was a depiction of an actual event, but don't remember where abouts.

Ibrahiim,
Been wondering if you are familiar with the name C Roads?

All best and Happy New Year when it gets here!

26th December 2018, 10:57 PM	#1
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 77	Lion Attacking a Dromedary -1867 Through gaining a museum studies minor at the University of Pittsburgh, I was working within the Carnegie Museum of Natural History quite often for class research. One of their most popular exhibits is the diorama of "Lion Attacking a Dromedary" (1867) displaying European 19th century Orientalism stereotypes to exotify North Africa in dramatic scenes. This particular diorama is an imaginary story Edouard Verreaux created to elaborate about "a courier traveling through the North African desert carrying letters and other precious items from one village to the next. Suddenly, two fierce lions appear and charge at him. The courier draws his musket and kills one of the lions, but it is knocked from his hand. He unsheathes his dagger as another lion leaps to attack his camel..." The rifle laying on the lioness appears to be a Moroccan snaphaunce while the dagger is a flyssa type weapon with an up-curving blade containing simple brass inlays and patterns. The hilt is brass covered over wood without the common animal head pommel. In my personal collection, I have a very similar knife. I always assumed that it was of a later manufacture (early 20th) than the more common typical flyssa that had a higher quality of workmanship. This diorama was created in 1867 in France and is stated to be original. So, this places the thought into question that these flyssa-like variants (up-curving) must be of older origin rather than later? Thoughts, comments, and opinions appreciated. Attached Images

31st December 2018, 02:07 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	YEP I HAD TO LOOK IT UP ANYWAY! SEE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_lion The art done in the mid 1800s by EUGENE DELACROIX SEE https://www.wikiart.org/en/eugene-de...n-morocco-1854 entitled Lion hunt in Morocco. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 31st December 2018 at 02:21 PM.

31st December 2018, 03:26 PM	#6
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Please forgive if this sounds facetious, but there is a painting of a lion attacking a carriage horse in England of all places. It was a depiction of an actual event, but don't remember where abouts. Ibrahiim, Been wondering if you are familiar with the name C Roads? All best and Happy New Year when it gets here! Attached Images

27th December 2018, 12:14 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,729	The rifle shown is in fact an Albanian Tanchika.... Stu

27th December 2018, 01:07 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	“ Tigers? In Africa?” Monty Python “ Lions ? In Albania?”