Lot 148
PAIR OF MONUMENTAL CARVED AND PAINTED RECUMBENT LIONS AND PLINTHS, AFTER THE MODELS BY ANTONIO CANOVA
19TH CENTURY
Auction: Day One | Wed 12th Nov at 10am | Lots 1 to 338
Description
each modelled resting on a rectangular base, painted white, on separate large neoclassical style plinths with carved foliate moulding and flowerheads (2)
Dimensions
Lions 186cm long, 84cm high, 60cm deep; with plinths 210cm wide, 158cm high, 81cm deep overall
Footnote
The lions are modelled after the pair executed by Antonio Canova (1757-1822), a celebrated Italian Neo-Classical sculptor, which were made for the tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and installed there in 1792. The originals were sculpted from white Carrara marble, and other versions were cast in bronze from moulds from the originals. The vigilant lion is believed to represent the energetic work of the Pope, while the sleeping lion symbolises his moderation. It is extremely rare to find a pair of carved wood lions, after Canova, which are so impressive and monumental in scale.
