A Stylobate Sea Lion Carved From Peperina Stone, 12th Century.

A column capital likely depicting a sea lion, drawn from medieval bestiaries; it is probably a stone carved in the round that served as the base for an interior ambo in an ancient parish church or early Romanesque cathedral. In fact, it is believed to be a sculpture dating from the early Low Middle Ages, between the year 1000 and the beginning of the 13th century.
The stylization of this fantastical animal is characterized by a marked simplification of form, still very pronounced and anatomically much less defined than examples of column-supporting lions from the high Romanesque period of the 13th century, which were widespread throughout Italy.
Given this stylistic hypothesis, we observe tendencies toward barbarian-style sculpture; therefore, it cannot be ruled out that this piece may predate the year 1000 and have been created by artisans of late-Lombard, Norman, or Byzantine culture in central Italy. In fact, the type of stone appears to be gray peperino, a stone found in abundance in the Tuscia region, between Lazio and Tuscany.
It is known that most Italian basilicas underwent numerous construction phases and could therefore belong to an early interior ambo built around the year 1000, a period characterized by numerous cultural and artistic influences in Europe and Italy.
The hypothesis that the animal is a sea lion can be put forward due to the strange engraved fins present under the animal’s legs, both on the hind legs and fragmentarily on the front ones.
Dimensions:
Approximately 65 cm in length x 35 cm in width x 30 cm in height.
We include a certificate of authenticity issued by our antique gallery with the sale.
Upon request, we can provide documentation for the free movement of goods, should a customer living outside Italy be interested.
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