door knocker Avignon
"Some 2500 years ago, a Greek artist conceived the strange idea of putting a movable ring into the mouth of a lion, or rather of combining two traditional elements, an artistic and a utilitarian one, by uniting a lion protome with a swinging handle.
image: ferlosio
"The new art form, once created, lived on everywhere and became almost immortal. It would never have been so successful if its appeal had been so simple that it could be expressed in a short formula. As in every 'success story' there were many contributory factors and ambiguity played a considerable part. The figure of the lion was the traditional guardian of the dwelling and belongings of the living and the dead. Human pride could find immense satisfaction in imposing on the fiercest of beasts a most menial task. And in addition, a playful element slipped in. The homo ludens made the lion into a performing animal, frightened by it and at the same time showing superiority over it."
Lion Masks with Rings in the West and the East
Otto Kurz
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| carved lions in Paris |
Our guardians, our protectors, our pets.
Inside and outside, we have tried to tame the beast. Even without a ring in his mouth, the idea is just
about the same.
image: touregypt
Egyptian chair with lion feet
image: Pierre Bergé et Associés
Ceramic stool formed from four sphinxes with their lion feet as its base, enamel seat decorated with military figures and a goose. Dating from 1900, it was inspired by an Egyptian or Greek antiquity.
Renaissance table Musée des beaux-arts de Tours
image: Pierre Bergé et Associés
Oak chair featuring back carved with a lion holding a shield. Seat and legs sculpted to imitate fur and with feet ending in lion paws. Provenance and date not stated.
curio: oak furiture remnant
oak floor lamp
Napoléon III oval rosewood dining table
Animal elements, especially relating to lions, have been prominent throughout furniture history
--but seem to be accumulating only recently in my own home.
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| photo: Lion d'or of Rocamador |
To look at the subject from another point of view, if you ever wondered why so many hotels were named
au lion d'or throughout France, it's simple:
au lit on dort.
This playful message signaled to the weary traveler where he could find sleep at last in a near-by inn.
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| photo: rita bucheit ltd |
Empire bed of mahogany attributed to Jacob
In bed we sleep.
