Lot of 2 Roman Bronze Lion Protomes - ex-Sotheby's

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Exceptional Antiquities | Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 11, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-10-11 10:00:00 2018-10-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities | Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-art-3500
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• Lot Description
  Roman, Imperial period, ca. 2nd century CE. A pair of fierce protomes, cast from bronze and with a beautiful, deep turquoise patina, in the form of charging lions. Each - they are nearly identical - faces forward, with its head projecting outward as if leaping towards the viewer. Their front legs stretch outward, claws extended. The details of the manes and faces are beautifully sculpted, suggesting that the maker was familiar with the animals - perhaps having seen them at their local circus or gladiator battle. Heavy cuboid sockets on the back of each with iron nails through them give us an idea of how these items were attached when first made - likely decorating a large vessel or piece of elegant furniture. Size of largest (they are very similar in size): 3.5" L x 1.75" W x 3.05" H (8.9 cm x 4.4 cm x 7.7 cm); 5.45" H (13.8 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Greek Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. That lion's fur was believed to be impenetrable to attacks since according to legend it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than swords with the power to slice through armor. In the end, Hercules defeated the lion by strangling it and wore its skin.
  
  Lions were also favorite iconography for buildings, coins, and statues in the ancient world. Examples include the Lion Gate to the Citadel of Mycenae, the Terrace of the Lions on the island of Delos, and the lion hunt mosaic from Pella featuring Alexander engaged in a lion hunt. Of course lions were also used in the Roman arenas where they would fight other animals, such as tigers and bears.
  
  Provenance: private Florida, USA collection; purchased at Sotheby’s, June 2002; ex-European private collection, prior to 2000
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #138670

  Condition

  One forepaw missing on one lion. The other has two tiny losses to one of the paws, and small losses to the back of his socket. Beautiful, deep turquoise patina over most of the surface with some remaining iron on the back end of each socket. Excellent preservation of details.
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