LARGE PAIR OF LIONS lying down in terra cotta. Northern Ital - Lot 118

Lot 118
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Estimation :
8000 - 10000 EUR
LARGE PAIR OF LIONS lying down in terra cotta. Northern Ital - Lot 118
LARGE PAIR OF LIONS lying down in terra cotta. Northern Italy, late 18th or early 19th century. L.105 P.31 H.40. This superb pair of sculpted lions in terracotta is an original work of high quality freely inspired by the pair of reclining lions made by Canova in 1795 for the mausoleum of Pope Clement XIII (1693-1769) in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Commissioned by Senator Rezzonico, nephew of Pope Clement XIII, this mausoleum was immediately recognized as one of the most accomplished works of the late 18th century. Symbolizing the poise and determination of St. Peter's successor (one sleeping and the other on the lookout), this pair of reclining lions met with considerable fortune and were copied during the artist's lifetime for the greatest European collections (e.g., a pair was commissioned in 1823 and delivered in 1828 for Chatsworth Castle in Derbyshire, Great Britain). Our set differs from these slavish copies by its originality, which marks the work of a talented sculptor practicing in northern Italy during the Empire period.
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