Roman lion relief with remains of polychromy

Roman lion relief with remains of polychromy
ITEM: Lion relief with remains of polychromy
MATERIAL: Limestone
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 4th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 130 mm x 95 mm x 63 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, Alain Grenier (1930 – 2022), was a French ambassador to the United States, Syria, Tunisia and Portugal.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman lions, though not native to Italy, played a significant role in Roman culture, art, and entertainment. The Romans encountered lions primarily through their conquests in North Africa and the Near East, where species like the Barbary lion roamed. These powerful beasts were often captured and transported to Rome, where they were used in gladiatorial games, executions, and public spectacles in the Colosseum and other arenas. Lions symbolized both the might of Rome and the dangers of the wild, reinforcing the empire’s dominance over nature and foreign lands.

In Roman art and architecture, lions frequently appeared as symbols of strength, power, and divine protection. They adorned triumphal arches, sarcophagi, mosaics, and villa decorations, often depicted in battle with gladiators or preying on other animals. Sculptures of lion heads served as architectural ornaments on fountains and buildings, while reliefs featuring lions sometimes represented military victories or the prowess of an emperor. The presence of lions in Roman iconography reflected both their exotic allure and their connection to the empire’s ideals of courage and conquest.

Despite their fierce reputation, lions were also linked to mythology and religion in Roman society. They were associated with gods such as Cybele, the mother goddess, whose chariot was drawn by lions, and Hercules, who famously slew the Nemean lion as one of his twelve labors. Roman mosaics and frescoes frequently depicted mythological scenes featuring lions, emphasizing their role in legendary narratives. Over time, the demand for lions in Rome contributed to their decline in the wild, particularly the Barbary lion, which was eventually driven to extinction in Europe and North Africa.

Measurement:	9.5 x 13 cm
Depth:	6.3 cm