Pair Of Sandstone Lions - England - 15th/16th Century

Wonderful pair of sandstone lions, England 15th/16th century. These two lions certainly adorned an important funerary group, recumbent figures, tomb or belonged to a church. Majestic, they are represented lying down with their tails brought back on their backs, a superb expression. It is quite natural that the lion is associated with the king. The "king of animals" is a symbol of strength, power and justice. We also see the evocation of the father, but also and above all, of the resurrection of Christ. In the Middle Ages, it was thought that lion cubs were born stillborn and came back to life 3 days later thanks to the breath of a parent. It symbolizes the guardian because a legend claimed that the lion sleeps with its eyes open. The lion is always at the feet of the recumbent figures of men, with the exception of the recumbent figure of the unidentified little princess visible at the necropolis of Saint-Denis. There are several of them in Saint-Denis, at the feet of the recumbent statues of Jean, son of Saint-Louis, of King Philip III the Bold, or even Charles, Count of Étampes. Magnificent pair, not to be missed! Height 45cm Length 60cm