A Watchful Lion by Canova, silver-plated bronze, Paris, ca. 1860–1880
2800,00 zł
Length: 21 cm
Height: 10.5 cm
Width: 6.7 cm
Weight: 2.09 kg
1 in stock
A unique 19th-century cabinet sculpture depicting a watchful lion (Leone vigilante), a masterful reduction of Antonio Canova’s famous work from the monumental tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, completed in 1792. The figure on offer is a top-quality example of French artistic craftsmanship from the Second Empire or the early Third Republic. The sculpture was created in the renowned Parisian workshop of Léopold Oudry (Léopold Oudry & Cie, active from 1854 to 1882), a pioneer and undisputed master of nineteenth-century electroplating. The use of this innovative technology allowed for almost atomic precision in rendering details, thanks to which the animal’s anatomy, the expression on its muzzle, and the intricate texture of its mane are captured with rare accuracy.
This piece stands out for its set of original, perfectly legible markings, which enhance its collector’s value. The name of the original artist, “Canova,” is engraved on the side of the plinth, while the opposite side bears the publisher’s full signature, “L. OUDRY PRs EDITEUR,” guaranteeing the manufacturer’s official, legal right to reproduce this luxurious design, along with the workshop mark “C.V. T.”. Also noteworthy is the rare and striking finish in the form of silver-plated bronze. Over the years, the precious layer of silver has developed a natural, aged patina, which beautifully highlights the sculpture’s plasticity and neoclassical form. The figure is mounted on its original, contoured black marble base, which complements the metallic luster of the metal perfectly.
| Weight | 2,09 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21 × 10,5 × 6,7 cm |
| Type |
Sculpture |
| Form |
Full-plastic sculpture |
| Materiał |
Marble ,Silver-plated bronze |
| Kolorystyka |
Black ,Silver |
| Technika |
Chiseled casting |
| Czas powstania |
ca. 1860–1880 |
| Kraj pochodzenia |
France |
| Autor |
Léopold Oudry & Cie, a French manufacturer based in Paris |
| State of preservation |
Very good, beautiful old patina |
Related products
Brahma, marble, India, 19th century.
Christ Crucified, wood, Spain (Pyrenees?), 12th-13th century.
The sculpture impresses with the pronounced rigidity of the body, typical of early Roman depictions. The calm yet poignant expression of Christ's face is emphasized by huge, forward-facing eyes set in deep eye sockets.
His gaze, however, is slightly lowered, emphasized by a prominent nose and large, spreading ears that frame his face. His hair falls symmetrically on his shoulders; a peculiar hairstyle draws attention - the hair, separated by a parting on top of the head, is arranged in rollers covered with densely diagonal cuts. Very similarly arranged hair, resembling braids, has the famous statue of Christ of Mig Aran, located in the church of Sant Miquèu de Vielha (Val d'Aran valley). The beard and mustache end in artificial, volute curls.
Gallo-Roman male portrait head, marble, Roman Empire, Province of Gaul (area of modern France), 1st-3rd century after Chr.
Ganesha, marble, India, 19th century.
Madonna and Child, polychrome wood, gilded, Central Europe, 18th/19th century
Saint John the Evangelist, late Gothic wooden sculpture, ca. 1500
The work may have been part of a winged altarpiece (retabulum), most likely in the Crucifixion group.
Sculpture of a god’s head (Zeus or Hercules), marble, Mediterranean basin, Hellenistic period
Skull (Memento Mori), marble, Italy, 18th-19th century
Elegant, decorative skull made of natural gray marble, maintained in a realistic style: the eye sockets, cranial seam lines and zygomatic arches are clearly formed. The faded dentition alludes to the concept of Vanitas.
The characteristic feature of the stone used for the sculpture is irregular veining in shades of beige, cream and gray, which gives it a unique character. The surface is polished, with natural discolorations and small marks due to the properties of the material, which emphasizes the authenticity and nobility of the marble. The skull is provided with a lead pin underneath, set on a minimalist, contemporary base in black, which exposes the sculpture and gives it a museum-like character.
The object is ideal for collectors of curiosities, lovers of the art of Vanitas - Memento Mori, cabinets of curiosities and as an expressive element of interior design in classical, industrial or eclectic style. An object with a strong aesthetic and symbolic expression, which is difficult to pass by indifferently.