Need help identifying mythological 'animal'

[Whickerman]

I've been given a silver disc with what seems to be a mythological creature on it. I'd really like to find out what it is.
The creature is seen side-on, looking to the right. It has a lion's head (or lioness to be exact, no mane - perhaps some other cat?). Then this extends through a set of stylised wings which are very similar to Egypt's Horus' wings, these wings are held forward covering the upper body. There are no visible legs, but the body ends in a serpentine/dragon tail.There is an upside down 'L' shaped staff being held in the (unseen) hands.

Can you identify this?

[Clanad]

It's unlikely that it's a female lion, more likely a leopard if it's Heraldric related. My Heraldry books show similar animals The form is interesting and sounds like a Lindorm (also termed Lindworm)... a bi-legged serpent in a reguardant position. I've not seen the stylized "L" you describe... unless it's the poison tail of a dragon, which is often seen as disconnected.

The Lindorm is related to the Wyvern if you do further research. Sorry, not a lot of help...

[Whickerman]

Thanks Clanad

It doesn't seem to be a heraldic figure, more like a religious symbol? The staff seems to be like a wand or cane. You could well be right about the leopard, although on closer inspection it seems there's what appears to be a long head dress from behind the ears which merge with the wings

[Whickerman]

I'd post a photo but it seems photo bucket doesn't work from outside the UK

[Chrysaor]

Almost sounds Assyrian from your further description.

[kempie]

TinyPic is another image hosting site...

http://tinypic.com/

[Ice.Maiden]

The Chimera, from greek mythology, has the face of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent.

[pastafreak]

I had thought of that also Icey..

[pastafreak]

There are other possibilities here:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Mythological-Creatures

[Ice.Maiden]

Or, could be a griffin - which had a serpent's tail as well.

http://www.carouselandrockinghorse.com/images/ ProductGriffin.jpg

[Ice.Maiden]

http://www.museumize.com/v/vspfiles/photos/674 0-2T.jpg or even a Greek bronzed sphynx!

[Whickerman]

cheers kempie

Ok - let's see if this works. Here's a link to the talisman
[IMG]http://i35.tinypic.com/99jszm.jpg[/IMG]

http://i35.tinypic.com/99jszm.jpg

[Whickerman]

wow - that's not very clear...bloomin phone cameras. Will upload a better image in a while - need to buy batteries for the camera