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Lion mask

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A bronze lion's head upon an oval shield beneath the Arms of Spain; the lion's mouth is a wide opening for letters.
Lion's headmail slotat the Palace of Letters inValladolid,Spain.

Thelion maskis amotifused fromantiquityas anemblemof strength,courage,andmajesty.[1][2]Lion masks (also referred to as "lion heads" ) are frequently employed aswater spoutson themodillions,or consoles, of theCorinthian Order.[3]TheTower of the Windsin Athens (c. 50 BC) has stonerelieflion masks below the roof, functioning as water spouts.

The lion mask holding a ring in its mouth for a handle derives from furniture fromancient Romeand it continues to be popular as doorknocker.[4]BothVenetianandfaçon de Venisegobletsfeature decorativepruntsmoulded in thelionmaskshapes frequently alluding to the symbol ofVenice,theLion of Saint Mark,although the lion's head goblet sometimes has other associations.[i][5]

From the early to mid-18th century, the lion mask enjoyed popularity as a favoured motif for furniture ornament, used as an arm rest support or to decorate a cabriole leg. Occasionally, a lion'spaworpeltappears alongside themask.[6][7]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^For example, a symbol of the governorship ofBohemiain theHabsburg court.

References[edit]

  1. ^Muscarella,Bronze and Iron,p. 171.
  2. ^Savoy,The Globalization of Renaissance Art: A Critical Review,p. 57.
  3. ^Brown,Study of the Orders,pp. 34, 35.
  4. ^Vernon,From Byzantine to Norman Italy,pp. 69–71.
  5. ^Page,Beyond Venice,pp. 59, 60.
  6. ^Clifford,Period Furnishings,p. 180.
  7. ^Frazee, "Information about Chairs", p. 25.

Bibliography[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toLion heads in art.
  • Frank C. Brown,Study of the Orders,American School of Correspondence, London (1906).
  • Chandler R. Clifford,Period Furnishings: an Encyclopedia of Historic Furniture, Decorations and Furnishings,Clifford & Lawton, New York (1911).
  • George B. Frazee, Jr., "Here's Information about Chairs that will Aid You in Selling", inThe Grand Rapids Furniture Record,Periodical Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, vol. XLVII, No. 1 (July 1923).
  • Oscar White Muscarella,Bronze and Iron: Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1988),ISBN978-0-87099-525-5.
  • Jutta-Annette Page,Beyond Venice: Glass in Venetian Style, 1500–1750,Corning Museum of Glass, Hudson Hills Press, New York (2004).
  • Daniel Savoy,The Globalization of Renaissance Art: A Critical Review,Brill (2017),ISBN978-90-04-35579-8.
  • Clare Vernon,From Byzantine to Norman Italy,Bloomsbury, London (2023).
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