Home Get Inspired Pendants Sterling Silver Lion Head Pendant with Dreadlock Mane Detail

A sterling silver lion head pendant with a dense, textured dreadlocked mane in a matte finish, a polished face looking to the right, and a cutout silhouette design, hanging from a rope-link chain.

Sterling Silver Lion Head Pendant with Dreadlock Mane Detail

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Sterling silver

A client wanted a specific lion-mane design style he had seen in a reference photo and worked with the team to find a version that could be made without reproducing any copyrighted artwork. Once a safe reference was found, he asked for the mane's cord-like texture to be captured in as much detail as possible and for the lion's face to look to the right. When the finished piece shipped, he wrote simply: 'Thank you again.'

'Love how it is coming out, you can do as you need to get it looking as needed.' — on seeing the first render

'Thank you again.' — on delivery

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Daily wear For himself Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage, Identity expression

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Sterling silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

3D Animals Cut out Matte finish

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage, Identity expression

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 3in (top of head to bottom); sized to fit an 8mm chain.

How they made it distinctive

01
Half-3D cut-out construction chosen specifically so the lion's head stands forward from an open background rather than sitting on a solid plate
02
Mane rendered in a dense, cord-like texture with a matte finish to maximize the level of surface detail visible
03
Face polished to a high shine specifically to contrast against the matte mane, sharpening the dimensional read of the piece
04
Sized and bailed specifically to balance with and fit an 8mm thick chain the client already owned
05
Final 3-inch scale and rightward-facing direction were both specified by the client during the design process rather than left as defaults

How you'd make it yours

Metal: this piece is sterling silver; a new commission could use gold-plated silver or solid gold for a different tone

Background: this piece uses a cut-out design; a new piece could use a solid backing plate instead

Finish: this piece contrasts matte mane with polished face; a new commission could use a uniform finish throughout

Size: this piece is sized at roughly 3 inches for an 8mm chain; a new piece is sized to its own wearer's chain

Facial direction: this piece faces right; a new commission could face left or center depending on preference

One of a kind: this exact pendant was designed for one client's chain and specifications and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The client requested a strictly sterling silver build (rather than gold-plated) to match an existing silver chain, and the final size grew from an initial 2-inch concept to a full 3-inch pendant at his request. The lion's face direction was also specified during production — turned to the right rather than left or center.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants a bold, sculptural statement pendant rather than something delicate or understated. It's especially right for anyone building a look around a thick chain who wants a piece substantial enough to match it, and who appreciates detailed, textured metalwork over a smooth or minimal design.

How it's made

Once the 3D design was approved, the model was 3D-printed in wax and attached to a wax tree inside a flask. The flask was invested in plaster and fired in a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold. Molten sterling silver was then cast into that mold under pressure and allowed to cool before the raw piece was removed for finishing. After casting, the pendant was cleaned and prepared in two distinct finish zones: the dense, cord-like mane was given a matte texture to emphasize the dimensional locks, while the lion's face was polished to a high mirror shine for contrast. The cut-out background was then cleaned up by hand so the half-3D head stands forward from the open space behind it, and the bail was finished to comfortably fit the client's existing 8mm chain.

Key note

The matte-versus-polish contrast between the mane and the face was a deliberate finishing decision — added specifically to make the carved texture of the mane read more clearly, the same technique shown to the client in a reference example from another piece.

Pricing guidance

A large, highly textured sterling silver pendant like this sits toward the upper end of pricing for pendant work, driven mainly by size and surface detail rather than stone cost since there is no center stone. The labor-intensive texture work on the mane and the half-dimensional cut-out construction are the main cost drivers. Metal choice and overall scale are the biggest levers from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond 3 inches, which requires more metal and more finishing time
↑
Upgrading from sterling silver to 10k or 14k gold
↑
Adding a fully 3D (rather than half-3D) sculptural treatment
↑
Adding gemstone eyes or other stone accents
↑
Requesting a solid (non-cut-out) backing, which increases metal weight and casting complexity

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant to a smaller size, such as 1.5–2 inches
↓
Choosing gold-plated sterling silver instead of solid gold for a similar look at lower material cost
↓
Simplifying the mane texture to a smoother or less detailed pattern
↓
Keeping the cut-out (rather than solid) background, which uses less metal
↓
Choosing a flat or engraved treatment instead of dimensional sculpting

Questions people ask

Can you make a pendant from a photo without copying a copyrighted design?

Yes, but the finished piece has to be meaningfully different from any copyrighted artwork, logo, or character. If a client brings a reference image that is protected, the design team will look for an alternative reference or work from a description and inspiration photos instead. The final design is original even when it's inspired by a specific look the client liked. This keeps the piece legally producible while still capturing the style the client wanted.

How durable is a sterling silver pendant with this much detail?

Sterling silver (.925) is a durable metal for a pendant of this size and holds fine detail well through the casting process. It will tarnish over time with air exposure, which is normal for silver, and can be restored with regular polishing. The dimensional, cut-out design does not make the piece structurally weaker as long as the connecting points are cast with enough thickness, which is confirmed during the 3D design stage. Daily wear is generally fine, though very rough handling could bend thin raised elements over time.

What does a large detailed sterling silver pendant like this typically cost?

A pendant at this size with this level of texture and dimensional work sits toward the higher end of pendant pricing, mainly because of the size and the labor involved in the mane's detail rather than any stone cost. There is no center stone, so the price is driven by metal weight and finishing time rather than gem selection. Smaller or simpler versions of a similar design would cost meaningfully less. Exact pricing depends on final size and metal choice.

How long does it take to make a custom pendant like this?

The design phase typically takes about a week, during which a 3D render is created and refined based on feedback. Once the design is approved, production takes roughly three to four weeks, including 3D printing a wax model, casting, and hand-finishing. A resin preview of the printed model may be shared partway through production so the client can see the piece before it's cast in metal. Total time from deposit to shipping is usually five to six weeks.

Can a pendant like this be made to fit a specific chain I already own?

Yes, the bail (the loop the chain passes through) can be sized to fit an existing chain. It helps to send a photo of the chain next to a coin or ruler so the exact link width can be measured and the bail built to match. This is especially important for thicker chains, like 8mm or larger link styles, where a standard bail would be too narrow. Confirming chain width before the piece is cast avoids needing to rework the bail afterward.

What's the difference between a half-3D and fully flat pendant design?

A flat pendant is engraved or has raised detail on a single plane, similar to a coin or medallion. A half-3D design, like this lion head, has the face and features sculpted with real depth and dimension while the piece still sits relatively close to the chest, rather than being a free-standing fully round sculpture. This gives a more lifelike, dimensional look without the extra weight and cost of a fully 3D piece. It's a common middle ground for animal and portrait pendants where realism matters but the piece still needs to be wearable.

Can the background of a pendant be open instead of solid metal?

Yes, this is called a cut-out design, where the background around the main figure is open rather than a solid metal plate. It reduces the overall metal weight, which can bring the cost down slightly, and gives the piece a lighter, more sculptural look since the figure appears to float rather than sit on a backing. The trade-off is that cut-out designs require careful casting to make sure thin connecting points are strong enough for daily wear. This style works particularly well for detailed subjects like an animal head, where the open space helps the main shape stand out.

Can sterling silver be plated in gold later if I change my mind?

Yes, a sterling silver piece can be gold-plated after the fact, though it's more efficient to decide on plating before the piece is cast and finished. Gold plating over silver wears down gradually with daily use, especially at points of contact, and will eventually need to be reapplied to stay bright. If a bright gold look is wanted long-term without replating maintenance, solid gold is the more permanent option. Choosing solid sterling silver, as in this piece, avoids the plating-maintenance question entirely.