Italian, 13th century

There is dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age, with particular dark surface dirt around the fronts at to the bases. There are losses to the snouts and front paws of both lions. There is a metal spout inserted into the remnants of the snout of one of the lions, and a hole to the other lion's snout, which suggests that they were fitted as fountain figures. There are also holes to the undersides of both lions. There are several losses to the bases. There is wear to the carving on the surface, in particular to the paws. There are areas with lines of carving to the faces and hair which are probably later and possibly the work of vandals. There is a loss to the top of the neck of one of the lions with some rust, which indicates that there may have been a metal insert. The tops of the heads and the haunches of the lions have been flattened in such a way that it is possible that the lions may have supported a larger object. Otherwise the condition is stable.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

During the late Romanesque and early Gothic periods in Italy, lions such as these served primarily as column supports in an ecclesiastical context. The present pair compare stylistically to the lions supporting the pulpit in the cathedral of Sessa Aurunca, dated to the mid-13th century (op. cit., pl. 247). It appears that the present lions were later converted into fountain figures.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Poeschke, Die Skulptur des Mittelalters in Italian. Romanik, Munich, 1998