Creighton University

Three things are immediately surprising about this item.  First is its unusual shape.  One website describes it as a "tab-handled bowl."  I would have said that it is an off-balance scalloped plate.  The second unusual factor is that this plate, clearly about that trial, is labelled on its verso "The Peacock and the Crane."  Does this individual mistake make the plate more rare and valuable?  Does it show that Spode workmen got tired? Thirdly, this object portrays a less-known fable.  I had to search to confirm the fable as I remembered it.  It is probably not one of those chosen when an author decides to tell, say, one hundred fables.  A sheep sues a dog for theft.  The dog calls the wolf and fox as witnesses.  They lie, of course, and the sheep has no chance.  In any case, I am delighted to include this unusual object in the collection! 

Is the artist here showing us a rather passive lion, allowing the loss of what makes him strong?  And how are we to read his face?  Star-struck?  Hypnotized?  Is it perhaps surprising that he does not look at the woman for whom he is making this sacrifice?  And what might be her attitude?  Am I on track in finding the scene very sad?