Beschreibung:

Regency Gilt-Bronze Model of a Seated Lion Early 19th century On an associated white marble rectangular plinth ending in ball feet. Height 5 1/4 inches (13.4 cm), width 7 inches (17.8 cm), depth 3 inches (7.6 cm). This form of lion is based on the ancient Egyptian lions now in the Vatican Collection but formerly at the base of the Fontana dell'Acqua Felice. The Fontana dell'Acqua Felice, also known as the Fountain of Moses (called 'Il Mose ridicolo' locally), located in the Quirinale District of Rome, Italy, marked the terminus of an ancient Roman aqueduct restored by Pope Sixtus V, which he named after himself, Felice Peretti. The lions spouted fresh water, which was a much needed improvement for local denizens. The fountain was designed by Domenico Fontana and built in 1585-88. Fontana was also responsible for raising the 327-ton ancient Egyptian obelisk in St. Peter's Square in 1586. The English architect, Charles Heathcote Tatham illustrated one of the lions in his Etchings Representing the Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture Drawn from the Originals in Rome and other parts of Italy, 1799: 'Front of one of the celebrated Egyptian Lions executed in Basalt, placed on each side of the Fontana delle Termini at Rome'. The original lions had their tails wrapped around a section of the bases, the remaining parts of which were carved with hieroglyphics. C
Good quality, nice gilding, rubbing to gilding, especially to back plinth with slight dent at back left corner, top and back, old marks and scratches, several spots to gilt metal, marble plinth associated bottom of plinth with filled holes, chips to edges, rusting to bottom. Dimensions of lion without base: height: 4" width: 5 1/2" depth: 2 13/16"