"medici-style" Lion – Black-patinated Bronze – Late 19th Or Early 20th Century

"Medici-style" bronze lion with black patina, paw resting on a globe
Height: 11 cm
Length: 16 cm
Width: 5 cm
Weight: 1550 g

Bronze sculpture depicting a walking lion, with one front paw resting on a gilded globe. The head is turned forward, mouth open, and the mane rendered in regular, curly locks. The long tail curls backward and ends in a pointed tuft. The patina is black over the entire body, with the globe left in gilded bronze for contrast.
Solid cast, except for the globe, which is hollow.
Unsigned.

The “Medici-style” lion model
This type of lion, with one paw resting on a sphere, draws on an ancient iconography popularized by the pairs of monumental lions at the Villa Medici in Rome and later by their numerous salon-style variations in the 19th and 20th centuries. The sphere is generally interpreted as a globe or a game ball; the lion is depicted at rest but in a guarding posture, with one paw resting on the object. This motif was widely adopted in French bronze casting, on various scales, often in pairs, to adorn fireplaces or desks.

Condition
Very good overall condition. Slightly worn patina on the mane, but not significant.

Item available for viewing and pickup at the gallery (07240)
Shipping: Please contact us for shipping costs within France and internationally.