Overview
A finely executed marble sculpture of a reclining lion, modeled after the famous 'Sleeping Lion' created by Antonio Canova for the tomb of Pope Clement XIII.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Italian Grand Tour Carved Marble Recumbent Lion, after Canova
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
In 1792, the sculptor Antonio Canova unveiled two massive lions at the base of a papal tomb in Rome, and the world immediately fell in love with their emotional depth.
Maker / Origin
While the specific artisan is unnamed, this piece was born from the legendary 'Laboratori' of Italy—workshops where generations of carvers lived and breathed stone.
Condition & Value
The sculpture shows a lovely aged patina with minor softening of the sharpest edges, which is expected and desirable in an antique marble. Value for Grand Tour marbles is driven by the quality of the carving and the type of stone.
Research
Add anything that could sharpen the brief.
Improve the quality of research by sharing any corrections, provenance, details, marks, dimensions, or any other element that could shed light on the piece.
Add any photos or details that could shed light on the piece.