The Lion of Lucerne
About: This is an intricately carved souvenir piece from Lucerne, Switzerland, likely sold at the Lion Monument to tourists. The lion is incredibly detailed and carved of a single piece of mahogany. He’s inscribed with the latin: Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti (“To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss"). This piece likely late 19th Century.
From Wiki: The Lion Monument, or the Lion of Lucerne, is a rock relief in Lucerne, Switzerland, designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn in 1820–21 by Lukas Ahorn. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris
Why We Love It: The carver captured Thorvaldsen’s original intent, detail and mood with great skill and restraint. The lion is full of emotion.
Condition: One chip to the shield as shown. Some shelf wear but otherwise excellent with a warm patina.
Dims: 9.5” Long x 4” High
Location: Philadelphia, PA
About: This is an intricately carved souvenir piece from Lucerne, Switzerland, likely sold at the Lion Monument to tourists. The lion is incredibly detailed and carved of a single piece of mahogany. He’s inscribed with the latin: Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti (“To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss"). This piece likely late 19th Century.
From Wiki: The Lion Monument, or the Lion of Lucerne, is a rock relief in Lucerne, Switzerland, designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn in 1820–21 by Lukas Ahorn. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris
Why We Love It: The carver captured Thorvaldsen’s original intent, detail and mood with great skill and restraint. The lion is full of emotion.
Condition: One chip to the shield as shown. Some shelf wear but otherwise excellent with a warm patina.
Dims: 9.5” Long x 4” High
Location: Philadelphia, PA
About: This is an intricately carved souvenir piece from Lucerne, Switzerland, likely sold at the Lion Monument to tourists. The lion is incredibly detailed and carved of a single piece of mahogany. He’s inscribed with the latin: Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti (“To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss"). This piece likely late 19th Century.
From Wiki: The Lion Monument, or the Lion of Lucerne, is a rock relief in Lucerne, Switzerland, designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn in 1820–21 by Lukas Ahorn. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris
Why We Love It: The carver captured Thorvaldsen’s original intent, detail and mood with great skill and restraint. The lion is full of emotion.
Condition: One chip to the shield as shown. Some shelf wear but otherwise excellent with a warm patina.
Dims: 9.5” Long x 4” High
Location: Philadelphia, PA