[ward]

I would have said a cat except for the mane around the head. I do not think you will find a cartouche of a cat on a Islamic sword. Yes cats are well liked in muslim coutries, but I do not feel that they would convey the same attributes of what a lion usually would. Cats are usually favoried because of their relationship with Muhammad. The cat warned him of immediate attack, he cut off the arm of his robe so as not to disturb the cat etc etc. I think a lot of the love of cats has to do with their control of mice and rats in these countries because the cats eat them. That is just a opinion.