Lion and Lamb
Artifact ID1982.32132.01
Object Type
Sculpture
Maker
Yaacov Heller
(American painter, born 1941)
Gifter
Diodorus
Date
October 5, 1982
Medium
Metal (sterling silver), Stone
Dimensions7 1/2 × 9 × 10 1/2 in. (19.1 × 22.9 × 26.7 cm)
Physical DescriptionA sterling silver sculpture depicting the biblical passage from Isaiah in which lamb lays down with the lion as a symbol of peace. The sculpture is mounted on a marble base with two small silver plates attached. The plaques state “PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT OF U.S.A., MR. RONALD REAGAN BY HIS BEATITUDE DIODOROS I, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM, OCT. 5, 1982” and “YAACOV HELLER-JERUSALEM-ISRAEL.”Historical NoteThe sculpture was given during a meeting between President Ronald Reagan and Diodorus, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the Oval Office on October 5, 1982 to receive the Great Cross of the Holy Sepulchre, the highest award of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. President Reagan recorded in his diary "A big day... A meeting with Patriarch Diodorus of Jerusalem, Greek Orthodox Church...The Patriarch awarded me the "great cross" as the foremost peace maker in the world. It contains a sliver from the cross upon which our Lord was crucified."
The sculpture is of a scene depicted in Isaiah 11:6-9, "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction Note© Yaacov Heller 1982
Copyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Country/CultureIsraelCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Related LinksPresident Reagan's Diary entry for Tuesday, October 5, 1982
Video: President Reagan meeting with Patriarch Diodorus of Jerusalem, Greek Orthodox Church who presents the Great Cross of the Holy Sepulchre. Oval Office October 5, 1982
Photograph: Meeting with Patriarch Diodorus of the Greek Orthodox Church to receive the Great Cross of the Holy Sepulchre, the highest award of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in the Oval Office 10/05/1982
c10477-03
c10488-02
c10499-01
10493-01