Research:
Of gilt and patinated bronze. Each in the form of a standing male lion wearing a collar with front paw resing on a sphere (one right, the other left) and raised tail, supported on a stepped rectangular plinth bordered with stiffleaf molding. The head of each lion detaches by releasing a pin in the collar.
Lions have played symbolic roles in cultures around the globe for centuries, serving as “an essential component in the matrix of visual representation since the dawn of artistic expression.” Their complex symbolism encompasses “associations with the sun, regal power, justice, and resurrection, [and] their roles as guardians,” and as a favored symbol in heraldry.
Ancient Western examples most famously include one of the Medici lions, which takes the form of a male lion standing with a sphere under one paw and looking to the side. Dating to the 2nd century AD, it was reported by the sculptor Flamino Vacca in 1594 that it had been discovered in the via Prenestina, an ancient roman road, outside the Porta San Lorenzo. Ferdinando I de’Medici acquired the lion and ordered a pendant from Vacca to be displayed together at the Villa Medici.
The present pair of figures most closely resembles the Medici lions; small scale reproductions of the statues in various media were ubiquitous in late eighteenth and nineteenth century decorative arts as grand tour souvenirs, mantle garnitures and desk ornaments. However, two features set the present figures apart, namely their raised tails and the collars worn around the neck. Interestingly, this collar appears to be a feature added as a means to accommodate an unusual function: turning the ring on the rear of the collar releases a threaded pin, which allows the head to be fully removed. The subject matter and small scale of the lions suggest they were intended for a more intimate space, such as a study, however, the exact purpose of their disassembly has yet to be uncovered and research into this aspect is ongoing.
Full research report available on request.