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ID #SA1202116
FOR SALE
£2,850
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Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Italian Serpentine Canova Lions
Mark Jones Antiques
for sale €3,335     $3,620
£2,850
Mark Jones Antiques

Mark Jones Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016
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  • About Us
    Mark jones antiques are dealers in fine antique furniture, ‘design’, works of art, and works by the sporting artist ‘snaffles’.
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Id #SA1202116
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Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Italian Serpentine Canova Lions

19th century
Description

A pair of carved Serpentine lions after Antonio Canova, Italian, circa 1850, of good scale and colour.

Antonio Canova (1757-1822) was the greatest Italian neoclassical sculptor, and sculpted the marble lions for the monumental tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St. Peter's, Rome from 1783 to 1792. They proved to be a popular image, copies were made soon after in the workshops of Rome to sell to wealthy 'Grand Tourists' as souvenirs from their classical tour. One lion is depicted sleeping, whilst the other is vigilant, said to represent the Pope's moderation and vigilance. In England, Canova's greatest patron was the 6th Duke of Devonshire whose seat was at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire.

Physical Dimensions
Height
12.5cm (4.92")
Width
26cm (10.24")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Declaration

Mark Jones Antiques has dated these Serpentine Marble Canova Lions to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1202116
Dealers Internal Reference
MJGTA0085
Dealers Notes

National and International shipping can be arranged on request at competitive rates.

Description
A pair of carved Serpentine lions after Antonio Canova, Italian, circa 1850, of good scale and colour.
“
Antonio Canova (1757-1822) was the greatest Italian neoclassical sculptor, and sculpted the marble lions for the monumental tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St.
Mark Jones Antiques

Peter's, Rome from 1783 to 1792. They proved to be a popular image, copies were made soon after in the workshops of Rome to sell to wealthy 'Grand Tourists' as souvenirs from their classical tour. One lion is depicted sleeping, whilst the other is vigilant, said to represent the Pope's moderation and vigilance. In England, Canova's greatest patron was the 6th Duke of Devonshire whose seat was at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire.

Height
12.5cm (4.92")
Width
26cm (10.24")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Date of Manufacture

Mark Jones Antiques has dated these Serpentine Marble Canova Lions to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1202116
Dealers Internal Ref
MJGTA0085
Mark Jones Antiques
Mark Jones Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2016

Mark jones antiques are dealers in fine antique furniture, ‘design’, works of art, and works by the sporting artist ‘snaffles’.

Dealer Profile

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

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A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases.
1 / 8
Archive I A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases.

Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Italian Serpentine Canova Lions

Archive II A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases. View II
Archive III A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Mark Jones Antiques

Mark Jones Antiques
Telephone 07889 071 414
Location
Northwick Park
Cotswolds
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/markjones
Verified Since Sep 2016
Items For Sale 77
Items Sold 315
Mark Jones Antiques
Mark Jones Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: Northwick Park, Cotswolds, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/markjones
Verified
Sep 2016
For Sale
77
Sold
315
A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases.
Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Italian Serpentine Canova Lions
Ref: SA1202116
A pair of 19th-century Italian green serpentine stone lion sculptures carved in a recumbent pose on integrated rectangular bases.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

Canova lions are miniature reproductions of the monumental lion sculptures designed by Italian Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova for the tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St Peters Basilica, Rome. During the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy travellers on the Grand Tour purchased these scaled stone versions across Italy as cultured souvenirs.

These figures were primarily hand-carved from various regional Italian decorative stones and marbles, including dark green serpentine, Giallo Antico, rouge marble, and alabaster, each selected for its fine grain and polishable finish.

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-carved tool marks in less exposed areas, uneven softness consistent with hand polishing, micro-chipping along base edges, and natural veining inherent to genuine quarried serpentine stone.

A pair of stone lion sculptures is traditionally positioned symmetrically on a mantelpiece, framing a central mirror or artwork, or styled on a library bookcase to act as decorative architectural accents.

Dust regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth, avoiding abrasive cleaners or acidic chemical solutions that can etch natural stone. A thin application of neutral microcrystalline wax can be applied periodically to preserve the surface sheen and protect the mineral surface.
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