Canova Lion - Sleeping

The sculpture of the sleeping lion was originally created by the Italian artist, Antonio Canova (1757-1822).

They were created in 1792 for the Monumental tomb of Pope Clement XIII in St.Peter's Bascilia in Rome. These reproductions were made directly from originals in a French private collection which were acquired around 1810 from the Canova workshop in Rome.

They have been made in the historic city of Bath by Revival Arts who use traditional skills and work entirely with British materials. Gypsum plaster is the main material used, which is a fine silicate and gives the finished pieces a very tactile quality as well as showing off the detail

Revival Arts of Bath is run by the master model-maker, Timothy Richards, and uses his small team of craftsmen.