Antique gilt bronze ram's head circa 19th century, Baphomet idol

This gilt bronze ram's head salvaged from a piece of architecture is perfectly suited to be an idol of Baphomet (though that was surely not the original intention). The idea of Baphomet dates back to 1307, when the Knights Templar were accused of worshiping an idol-head of the deity during an inquisition by King Philip IV of France. Under severe torture, knights offered up a variety of descriptions of their idol-head. It was said to be a severed head, a man's skull, a head with three faces, a bearded head with sparkling eyes, and various other things---sometimes not even a head at all. It was said to be black, white, silver, or gold in color.

None of the knights described the idol as goat-like, though the deity would later be represented as such by occultists. The most prominent example is occultist Éliphas Lévi, whose 1856 drawing of Baphomet (below) has since become canonical.

Use this ram's head to worship Baphomet, use it as a paperweight, or use it for both. The piece is tarnished to the perfect degree and numbered 36 inside next to an unknown maker's mark. It's about 6" tall, 3" wide, 2 1/2" deep, and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds.