Pair of large griffins sculptures in terracotta style stone, 1940’s

Pair of large griffons in reconstituted stone in terracotta manner. They have lion paws and tail, eagle wings and head with horse ears. They are in squat position on they back legs, folded wings along their back, turned head on side et front legs standing on a shield centred by a blind cartouche surrounded by draperies on each side and topped by a crown.

Work realized in the 1940’s.

Originally dedicated to exterior decoration but can be also use for interiors, standing on a base.

Dimensions : H 112 x W 110 x D 55 cm.

Reference : LS37651951

The griffon is a fantastical animal with a lion body, with eagle wings and head, represented in many ancient cultures: Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek and Roman. He was associated to gods and heroes of each civilization (pharaoh, Zeus and Apollo, Dionysus). At the Middle Age, he was not considered as a legendary creature but as a real animal, used in coats of arms because he was a symbol of strength and nobility and was represented in art and literature; indeed he gathers the lion, king of animals and the eagle, king of birds.

Sometimes, we can talk about this fantastical animal as chimeras: initially the word designates a hybrid animal with a lion head and a dragon tail which breathes fire. The chimera term has sometimes a double use and more widely designated all hybrid animals.