White marble
Dim. 17 x 17 cm
Greece, late XNUMXth century BC. J.-C.
Origin
Former collection of the Danish sculptor JA Jerichau (1816-1883)
Sold during the sale of the estate in 1884; under the term "Lion's head", n°301, listed in the catalog
Former collection of the Danish philosopher C. Wilkens (1844-1929)
Former Danish private collection, then by descent
For a similar physiognomy
Metropolitan Museum, NY, 09.221.3
For depictions in context see
Temple of Athena at Paestum, 1th century BC. J.-C, block of proanaos (fig.XNUMX)
Acropolis Museum, Athens, pediment element with lion's head, (fig.2)
Temple of Victory, Himera, Sicily, 3th century BC. J.-C., (fig.XNUMX)
The representation of the animal is characterized by emaciated features, the very prominent cheekbones contrast with the sunken orbital cavities and the very domed eyes.
The supraorbital arch as well as the "lion's wrinkles" are well marked and thus bring a strong expressiveness to the beast. The top of the mane is still noticeable.
If we take into account the size and the natural inclination of the head, this element had to be positioned on a facade of the pronaos type (fig.1) or gutter (fig.2-3).
A Classic Greek marble architectural element figuring a lion's head, 5th century BC
The representation of the animal is characterized by emaciated features, the very prominent cheekbones contrast with the sunken orbital cavities and the very domed eyes.
The supra-orbital arch as well as the "lion's wrinkles" are well marked and thus bring a strong expressiveness to the beast. The top of the mane is still noticeable.
If we take into account the size and the natural inclination of the head, this element had to be positioned on a facade of the pronaos type (fig.1) or gutter, waterspouts (fig.2-3).
Full Description