The
winged Lion is the symbol of Venice, because the winged lion
described in the book of Revelation (Rv. 4,7) was identified as
being St Mark the Evangelist, buried in the main church of the
city. After the Venetian “theft” of the holy relics in Alessandria
in Egypt, a legend aroused in which the Saint had a dream, while he
was travelling across the Venetian lagoon. An angel revealed to St
Mark that his body would have come to extreme and peaceful rest in
Venice. Hence, the words “Peace to you, Mark, my Evangelist” that
can be read, in Latin, on the open book. The winged Lion was placed
by the Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia in every town of its rich
dominium. Buy
St. MARK'S LION
WITH THE BOOK OR A SWORD
Big: cm 23 (h) x 40 (w)
Medium: cm 13,5 (h) x 22 (w)
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The
winged Lion could be represented with
a book, open or not, or with a sword and the
book closed under a front paw.
Despite what is commonly believed, the
sword - Lion iconography did not mean “war”
for the towns in which the lion was placed;
neither did the book – Lion iconography
mean “peace”. On the contrary, the sword
was linked to the judiciary power of the
Republic of Venice.
On the other hand, a sacral connotation
had the shape of Lion tail: it probably refers
to the sanctity of Saint Marc,
the patron of Venice.
a book, open or not, or with a sword and the
book closed under a front paw.
Despite what is commonly believed, the
sword - Lion iconography did not mean “war”
for the towns in which the lion was placed;
neither did the book – Lion iconography
mean “peace”. On the contrary, the sword
was linked to the judiciary power of the
Republic of Venice.
On the other hand, a sacral connotation
had the shape of Lion tail: it probably refers
to the sanctity of Saint Marc,
the patron of Venice.
LION IN DENTIL
FRAME
LION
IN DENTIL FRAME: cm 18,5 (h) x 28 (w)
BIG LION IN DENTIL FRAME: cm 40 (h) x 29 (w)
BIG LION IN DENTIL FRAME: cm 40 (h) x 29 (w)
LION IN AN ELIPTICAL SHAPE:
cm 6,6 (h) x 9 (w)
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LION IN A SQUARED SHAPE:
9 cm high
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LION'S HEAD
cm 29 (h) x 24 (l)
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St. MARK'S LION FROM
DONATELLO
Bas-relief inspired by one of the sculpted slabs of the Altar in
Basilica di S. Antonio, Padua (mid 15th century)
cm 20 (h) x 20 (w)
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