German school - Sculpture, Recumbent lion - Baroque - Bronze (gilt) - probably 18th century

This fantastic figure is in its original gilding and shows a nice patina. It has an ebonised and gilt wood stand. The bronze has no holes nor attachment marks on the back surface, quite an usual feature in bronze lions of this period since they were usually used as ornamental supports for pieces of furniture or caskets. The present piece was therefore conceived as a sculpture per se and it possibly belonged to a major sculptural group. The wood stand was probably made later, around 1800 (restored condition) From a German private collection. Total sizes: 16x10x9 cm Bronze lion : 12x4x5 cm Ref: Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes, The Frick Art Museum