Doe and Hope

Description

After Antonio Canova (1757 - 1822), the well-proportioned and crisply cast plaster models of recumbent lions, both sleeping, one finished in terracotta and raised on a serpentine marble plinth, the other in plain plaster, and both surviving from the late twentieth century.

The sculptures have no major flaws and no cracks or restoration present.

These lions were originally sculpted by Antonio Canova (Italian, 1757-1822) as a pair in a larger scale for the tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St. Peter's Basilica. As a pair the sleeping lion is symbolic of the Pope's moderation and the vigilant lion, represents his energetic work. Here we have two sleeping examples.

Great value pieces for the mantlepiece.