LOT 0177

Large Roman Marble Lion Fountain Head

1ST-2ND CENTURY AD

20" (66kg, 51 cm).

A marble fountain support depicting the head of a lion, the narrow face carved in high-relief with full, wavy mane, the gaping jaws with detailed teeth; a hole to the top for attachment, another hole through the mouth; mounted on a custom-made base.

Property of an important London collector; acquired from Bonhams 22 September 1998, lot 485; formerly in the private collection of a Norwegian gentleman, acquired at an auction in Oslo in 1919; previously in the Baron Ustinov collection; a report on the sculpture was written by an academic at Oslo University in 1964, accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss certificate dated 7 October 2002; copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages; and an expertise written by Dr. Raffaele D’Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10290-168598.

See Smith, A.H., A catalogue of sculpture in the department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, vol.III, London, 1904; Scrinari, V. S. M., Sculture Romane di Aquileia, Roma, 1972; Bonhams, Antiquities Tuesday 22nd September 1998, London, 1998.

The lion was famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labour. The lion was also linked with the cult of the goddess Cybele, where it was usually represented in relief on either side of her throne. In the 2nd century AD, lions were often the favoured ornament for the cuirass of Roman emperors.