Pair Of Stylophore Marble Lions Late 12th, Early 13th Century

important pair of stylophoric lions in Verona marble,sculpted in the round,each depicted recumbent,mouth half-open,mane stylized into deep ribs.
the front paws are extended forward in a solemn, hieratic posture,typical of Romanesque sculpture in northern Italy.the back is slightly curved, forming a flat surface intended to support a column.
these sculptures originally had an architectural function in a religious context, often integrated into a porch, a church portal or a cloister, where they served as pedestals for columns.They embody the tradition of the stylophotor lions which, in Romanesque and Gothic art, symbolized the vigilance and protection of the sanctuary.
The pink Verona marble used here is distinguished by its fine texture and warm nuances.it was used in the important religious worksites of Venetia and Lombardy during the Middle Ages.
the set has a beautiful old patina and wear consistent with its age, testifying to long exposure in an outdoor context, while retaining great formal legibility.
see comparative bibliography: stylophoric lions from Modéme cathedral, lions from the Duomo of Parma