Table leg in the form of an upright lion. It’s back forms an S-shaped curve. The Jaws are wide open, revealing the canines and the tongue. The hair of the mane is arranged in regular tufts. Originally, acanthus leaves adorned it’s chest and sides. The reverse from the shoulders blades upward is flattened, forming a rectangular support. A circular drill hole between the shoulders to insert a horizontal bar supporting the table. On the top of the head, part of the pilaster on which the table top rested is missing. The lack of incised iris and pupil as well as the simple execution of the curls without drilling are indicative of an early date Drill holes on both sides of the lion’s chest where the acanthus emerge.

Reference: For the construction of a Roman table with trapezophoroi in the form of lions, cf. a marble table in the National Museum, Naples, in Richter – 1966, pl 577.

cf. two trapezophori in the Musei Vaticani in Rome, Arachne – 53732 and the Museum of Ancient Art Stockholm, Arachne – 130164

REFERENCE #

SI_RM_1082

CIVILIZATION

Roman, 100 C.E.

SIZE

H. 50 cm

CONDITION

Nose slightly worn, lower jaw and ears fragmentary. The rolled up leaf on the right largely preserved. The leaves on the chest and the left side missing. Preserved from the hips upward. Reassembled from two parts. Right hip slightly worn. Transition to foot preserved

PRICE

Price available upon request

PROVENANCE

English priv. collection 1940’s