66,313  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 271 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
GIFTS
271 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1163919
SOLD
Email Phone
Save
Carved Alabaster Lion of Lucerne
Sold by Reindeer Antiques
sold SA1163919
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Reindeer Antiques

Reindeer Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2019
Browse dealers 84 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in english antique furniture from the early seventeenth century to the early nineteenth century. Based on kensington church st.
Id #SA1163919
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Carved Alabaster Lion of Lucerne

19th century
Sold 17 December 2025 · Reindeer Antiques
This “Carved Alabaster Lion of Lucerne” found a buyer.

It was listed by Reindeer Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

A Nineteenth Century carved alabaster lion of lucerne, a Grand Tour souvenir after the original designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and carved by Lukas Ahorn.

Circa 1880

The monument commemorates the Swiss Guard massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. It symbolises Swiss bravery and sacrifice, with Mark Twain describing it as 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world'.

Physical Dimensions
Height
15.2cm (5.98")
Width
26.8cm (10.55")
Depth
10.8cm (4.25")
Declaration

Reindeer Antiques has dated this Carved Alabaster Lion Sculpture to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1163919
Dealers Internal Reference
BA1472
Description
A Nineteenth Century carved alabaster lion of lucerne, a Grand Tour souvenir after the original designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and carved by Lukas Ahorn.

Circa 1880

The monument commemorates the Swiss Guard massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution.

“
It symbolises Swiss bravery and sacrifice, with Mark Twain describing it as 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world'.
Reindeer Antiques
Height
15.2cm (5.98")
Width
26.8cm (10.55")
Depth
10.8cm (4.25")
Date of Manufacture

Reindeer Antiques has dated this Carved Alabaster Lion Sculpture to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1163919
Dealers Internal Ref
BA1472
Reindeer Antiques
Reindeer Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2019

Specialists in english antique furniture from the early seventeenth century to the early nineteenth century. Based on kensington church st.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Reindeer Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A detailed carved alabaster sculpture of a dying lion resting on a rocky plinth, modelled after the Lion of Lucerne. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 2
Archive I A detailed carved alabaster sculpture of a dying lion resting on a rocky plinth, modelled after the Lion of Lucerne. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Carved Alabaster Lion of Lucerne

Archive II A detailed carved alabaster sculpture of a dying lion resting on a rocky plinth, modelled after the Lion of Lucerne. View II
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 020 7937 3754
Location
81 Kensington Church Street
London
W8 4BG
United Kingdom
Verified Since May 2019
Items For Sale 84
Items Sold 244
Reindeer Antiques
Reindeer Antiques
Verified Since May 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: 81 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4BG, United Kingdom
Verified
May 2019
For Sale
84
Sold
244
A detailed carved alabaster sculpture of a dying lion resting on a rocky plinth, modelled after the Lion of Lucerne.
Carved Alabaster Lion of Lucerne
Ref: SA1163919
A detailed carved alabaster sculpture of a dying lion resting on a rocky plinth, modelled after the Lion of Lucerne.
Detail View 1
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures & Carvings
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGrand Tour
  • MaterialAlabaster
  • ColourOff-White
  • MotifsDying lion pose, Shield and spear insignia, Naturalistic rock base, Rectangular plinth
  • SizeH 15.2 cm (6 in) x W 26.8 cm (11 in) x D 10.8 cm (4 in)

The Lion of Lucerne commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, and miniature carvings of the monument became popular Grand Tour souvenirs throughout the nineteenth century.

Craftsmen typically utilised fine-grained alabaster or soft marble, employing hand chisels, files, and abrasive powders to achieve detailed textures and a smooth finish.

Authentic period pieces exhibit natural mineral variations, subtle surface patination, minor age-related wear, and manual chisel marks rather than modern machine tooling.

Placing the sculpture on a mantelpiece, bookshelf, or side table introduces classical texture and historical depth, contrasting effectively against minimalist or modern furnishings.

Alabaster is a soft and water-soluble mineral; therefore, pieces should be cleaned exclusively with a dry, soft cloth and kept away from moisture and direct sunlight.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories