Object Description
The Antinori Heraldic Lion, Perugia, c.1870–1900
A substantial 19th-century terracotta lion, modelled with a full mane and expressive features, its paw resting on a shield bearing the arms of the Antinori family of Perugia.
Almost certainly conceived as part of an architectural or garden scheme, the sculpture would have occupied a prominent position within one of the Antinori villas, likely Villa Antinori (now Villa Collins), where heraldic display formed an integral part of the estate’s identity.
The arms — a coronet above a shield with a distinctive triple rose branch — correspond closely with recorded examples of Antinori heraldry, reinforcing the attribution.
Both decorative and symbolic, the lion serves as an emblem of strength and authority, paired with the family crest to project status and lineage.
A rare survival of Italian aristocratic garden ornament, combining sculptural presence with strong historical association.
112 x 80 x 50