Good Pair Of Large Mid-19Thc Terracotta Recumbent Lions C.1860

In wonderful weathered condition, the opposing terracotta lions, generously sized and in the recumbent position, each beautifully and sharply modelled in the neoclassical style with vigilant expressions under richly carved manes and well-articulated paws and tails, being stretched upon a rectangular plinth base and surviving from the middle of the nineteenth century in the Italian manner.

One of the lions has a corner of the base which has been repaired and its front left paw re-glued, whilst there are numerous flat chips and losses, they remain uncleaned and there are lichen deposits. We have checked under the bases and they are apparently unmarked. There are remnants of historic wasps nests within.

A terracotta piece of this type is very difficult to attribute with any certainty though in terms of country of origin, through its style we can conclude it is almost certainly based on the Italian aesthetic due to the way the characterful way the face of the lion is modelled. This model has since been copied into the twentieth century in composition stone and concrete and it is very hard to find originals such as these.

Italy has had a long relationship with the lion, representing, power and strength, the Venetians were particularly keen to associate themselves with these beasts, depicting them in art, sculpture and even being kept by the nobility, with the official state lion living in a golden cage in the Piazza San Marco. Although terracotta as a material was traditionally used for making maquettes for larger works, from the 18th century it became a popular medium with artists allowing the sculptor to show off his understanding of their subject’s anatomy.

Simply magnificent and glorious.