Search Price Results
Wish

LOT 0073

Oversized Roman Bronze Lion Face Door Knockers (pr)

[ translate ]

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A fabulous pair of cast-bronze door knockers, each depicting a highly stylized lion head of a circular form. Each leonine countenance presents with bulging ovoid eyes, a rounded nose flanked by puffy jowls, a flared mane that thins out towards the edges to form the knockers' peripheries, and a gaping maw in which an iron suspension loop and accompanying iron ring knocker are mounted. Each knocker is covered in thick, encrusted layers of brown and green patina that further accentuate their ancient beauty. Lions in the ancient world were symbolic of power and ferocity, and would have also called to mind fierce gladiatorial fights. The artist who made the mold most likely was inspired by lions at the Roman Forum or in an amphitheater local to their area. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 10.625" W x 10.75" H (27 cm x 27.3 cm); 14.5" H (36.8 cm) with iron ring knocker.

In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. That lion's fur was believed to be impenetrable to attacks since according to legend it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than swords with the power to slice through armor. In the end, Hercules defeated the lion by strangling it and wore its skin.

Lions were also favorite iconography for buildings, coins, and statues. Examples include the Lion Gate to the Citadel of Mycenae, the Terrace of the Lions on the island of Delos, and the lion hunt mosaic from Pella featuring Alexander engaged in a lion hunt. Of course lions were also used in the Roman arenas where they would fight other animals, such as tigers and bears.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private New York, USA collection; ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA; ex private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired from Phoenicia Holyland Antiques, before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#164999
Condition Report: Repairs and minor restoration to peripheries, with iron door knockers reattached within each mouth, and resurfacing to new material and break lines. Age-commensurate oxidation to iron components, with heavy encrustations to knocker bodies and versos, softening to some finer details, and possible repatination to one knocker. Great patina throughout.

[ translate ]

View it on
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
16 Sep 2021
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock

[ translate ]

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A fabulous pair of cast-bronze door knockers, each depicting a highly stylized lion head of a circular form. Each leonine countenance presents with bulging ovoid eyes, a rounded nose flanked by puffy jowls, a flared mane that thins out towards the edges to form the knockers' peripheries, and a gaping maw in which an iron suspension loop and accompanying iron ring knocker are mounted. Each knocker is covered in thick, encrusted layers of brown and green patina that further accentuate their ancient beauty. Lions in the ancient world were symbolic of power and ferocity, and would have also called to mind fierce gladiatorial fights. The artist who made the mold most likely was inspired by lions at the Roman Forum or in an amphitheater local to their area. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 10.625" W x 10.75" H (27 cm x 27.3 cm); 14.5" H (36.8 cm) with iron ring knocker.

In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. That lion's fur was believed to be impenetrable to attacks since according to legend it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than swords with the power to slice through armor. In the end, Hercules defeated the lion by strangling it and wore its skin.

Lions were also favorite iconography for buildings, coins, and statues. Examples include the Lion Gate to the Citadel of Mycenae, the Terrace of the Lions on the island of Delos, and the lion hunt mosaic from Pella featuring Alexander engaged in a lion hunt. Of course lions were also used in the Roman arenas where they would fight other animals, such as tigers and bears.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private New York, USA collection; ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA; ex private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired from Phoenicia Holyland Antiques, before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#164999
Condition Report: Repairs and minor restoration to peripheries, with iron door knockers reattached within each mouth, and resurfacing to new material and break lines. Age-commensurate oxidation to iron components, with heavy encrustations to knocker bodies and versos, softening to some finer details, and possible repatination to one knocker. Great patina throughout.

[ translate ]
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
16 Sep 2021
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock