Pair of Medieval Recumbent Lions
A unique pair of naively carved limestone late Medieval recumbent Lions circa 13-15th Century AD.
This rare pair of fantastic beasts were based upon the notion and description of a Lion, and we can safely assume the Master Craftsman had never actually seen one himself! Possibly created as a pair of Grotesques, but equally they could have been commissioned by a wealthy client to adorn their home or garden.
Worth noting are the rigid extended legs, and the rather wonderfully expressive manes. With a humanesque quality to their facial expressions and a naivety which is incredibly charming, this pair of Lions are also reminiscent of the Medieval depictions of the Manticore.
The manticore is one of the most bizarre and ferocious creatures depicted throughout classical and Medieval bestiaries. The creature was first mentioned in text and stories from ancient Persia 404-359 BC.
See attached image from a depiction of a manticore from the British Library.
Original: $9,047.88
-70%$9,047.88
$2,714.36
Description
A unique pair of naively carved limestone late Medieval recumbent Lions circa 13-15th Century AD.
This rare pair of fantastic beasts were based upon the notion and description of a Lion, and we can safely assume the Master Craftsman had never actually seen one himself! Possibly created as a pair of Grotesques, but equally they could have been commissioned by a wealthy client to adorn their home or garden.
Worth noting are the rigid extended legs, and the rather wonderfully expressive manes. With a humanesque quality to their facial expressions and a naivety which is incredibly charming, this pair of Lions are also reminiscent of the Medieval depictions of the Manticore.
The manticore is one of the most bizarre and ferocious creatures depicted throughout classical and Medieval bestiaries. The creature was first mentioned in text and stories from ancient Persia 404-359 BC.
See attached image from a depiction of a manticore from the British Library.
