Lion statue

[flyadive]

Can anyone tell me something about this piece.
No markings,about 25lbs. Found in Pa. Inside a hollow tree. Sycamore.

 

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[FlakyNugget]

Your question may be better answered in the treasurer hunting section.

 

[DocBeav]

hey fly, I was looking at several different websites regarding lion lawn/garden ornaments and I can't seem to find any that match. Most of the ones that you see have very good detail on them which this one does not. That leads me to believe that it was either very cheaply made at the time or it has been outside so long that the features are weathered away (or a combination of the two!) Not any big help there buddy, sorry about that BUT I did try. As you know, I've been following the whole thread on this and I believe what you found is what everyone has been looking for and talking about from the beginning. I'm willing to bet that thing has been where you found it for quite a while!

 

[flyadive]

Yea I couldn't find anything either, your rite about it being just a garden?? I wish it was something more.

 

[DocBeav]

Regardless though, if it was placed there by Grandpa like we believe (hope) then you found the major clue that has been discussed since the start of sepa's thread! Still a GREAT job!

 

[rock]

I believe maybe a child was playing with it and put it in the tree. Also the tree isnt that old cause it isnt big around. Old trees are much bigger. But still a nice find my wife loves Lions.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Pretty common in the late 1800s, early 1900s, to have these situated around the portico or front gates to an estate here in lower New York. We pull these lions out of the weeds often around here. They became very popular after the World Expo in 1893. Edward Kemeys (1843-1907), established a studio in Chicago in 1892. The following year, the World’s Columbian Exposition showcased twelve of his sculptures in plaster including massive lions. At the fair, Kemeys’ lions were placed at the entrance to the Fine Arts Palace.

 

[flyadive]

Pretty common in the late 1800s, early 1900s, to have these situated around the portico or front gates to an estate here in lower New York. We pull these lions out of the weeds often around here. They became very popular after the World Expo in 1893. Edward Kemeys (1843-1907), established a studio in Chicago in 1892. The following year, the World’s Columbian Exposition showcased twelve of his sculptures in plaster including massive lions. At the fair, Kemeys’ lions were placed at the entrance to the Fine Arts Palace.

Do you think that this is one of Kemeys lions? Do you think it's that old?

 

[Terry Soloman]

They were widely copied and distributed, so no I don't think it is an original which would be marked on the bottom, and not used outside. It probably dates from 1910-1920.

 

[anonlord]

http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/pompeii-guardian-lion-statue-186865.htm?partId=cjDataFeed this matches the shape and design of the one you found minus the weathering.

 

[flyadive]

http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/pompeii-guardian-lion-statue-186865.htm?partId=cjDataFeed this matches the shape and design of the one you found minus the weathering.

That lion is double the size and weight.
Looks very similar though. I wonder if that is how it looked when it was new?