Pair of life size pine lions

A magnificent pair of late 19th century highly decorative life size Italian carved pine Medici lions.This wonderful pair of imposing lions are superbly carved from solid pine, each lion seated with one front paw resting on a ball or sphere with his head looking to the side with superbly carved manes, these having traces of original gesso within the carving.The original marble Medici lions were standing with one paw on a ball or sphere with the head looking to the side, one lion being from ancient origin and the other from the 16th century were placed at the Villa Medici in Rome in 1598 and since 1789 have been displayed in Rome at the Loggia dei Lanzi.The Medici lion has been copied both directly and indirectly with variations, this superb pair being an example of this.This pair of lions are both in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home – the lions can be floor standing or could be elevated on plinths.