Antique pair of noble, guardian lions reclining on pedestals. These sculptures are made in one of the most famous styles of the Italian school, the so-called - the style of Antonio Canova. Bronze, authentic patina. France, XIX century.Since ancient times, various images and figures of lions are especially popular with different peoples of the world. The sculptures of animals became decoration of majestic palaces and buildings. The ancient Romans often erected sculptures of these powerful predators in their cities, at the villas of palaces, in parks, and at fountains. Leo occupies a special place even in Buddhism, where it is considered a guard against the forces of evil and a defender of the truth.

Antonio Canova (1757-1822), Italian sculptor, the most significant representative of classicism in European sculpture. Born into a poor masonry family in Possagno near Treviso. He entered and graduated from the Venice Academy of Fine Arts. While still at the Academy, he received several awards for his work. Antonio Canova's customers were popes, kings and wealthy collectors. Since 1810, he served as director of the Academy of St. Luke in Rome.The name of Antonio Canova is one of the most significant places in the history of Italian art. Everything created by him, like the works of Donatello, Michelangelo marks the highest achievements of the Italian plastic genius. Canova's works always combine the solemn calm of composition and the clarity and grace of proportions. From the works of the sculptor themselves, and from casts from his works to this day, students of Italian and European academies draw.Some of the greatest works of the master: Daedalus and Icarus (1777-1779). Correr Museum in Venice, Theseus and the Minotaur (1781–1783). Victoria and Albert Museum in London, “Pauline Borghese as Venus” in the Borghese Gallery, “Cupid and Psyche” Louvre (Paris), “Three Graces” (1813-1816). Marble, 182 cm. Hermitage (Petersburg).