Sculpture

Lion block

Description

Surface losses above one eye and to tip of nose.

Commentary

Typical of romanesque architecture, this block could be one of the sculpted blocks forming a running frieze inside or outside a portal, one of the most well-known being the animals on the front of St Gilles du Gard in the Provence, or it could have been one of the supporting stones of a portal arch, as at Saintes, or even just one of the single decorative stones that punctuate the walls of romanesque churches, as in the abbey of Marmoutier, the church of St Laurent in Dorlisheim (Alsace) and others. There are even more examples of lions in interlace ( Chateauneuf sur Charente) or on capitals (église Saint-Étienne in Vignory). Though the limestone seems French the same motif was used in Spain and Italy.

Provenance

19th or early 20th c. collectors label. French collection