

Iirc, the design goes back a few hundred years or so, and they were intended as either lion claws or dragon claws, wrapped around an orb.
Incidentally, you’ll also find pineapples are commonly found carved in older furniture. Pineapples were considered a symbol of hospitality. Again, as I recall, because it’s been a while since I learned about this stuff.
Please tell me this is true without lying to me!