A Marble Trapezophoros Leg in the Form of a Lion, circa 100 A.D.

Table leg in the form of an upright lion. It's back forms an S-shaped curve. The Jaws are wide open, revealing the canines and the tongue. The hair of the mane is arranged in regular tufts. Originally, acanthus leaves adorned its chest and sides. The reverse from the shoulder blades upward is flattened, forming a rectangular support. A circular drill hole between the shoulders to insert a horizontal bar supporting the table. On the top of the head, part of the pilaster on which the table top rested is missing. The lack of incised iris and pupil as well as the simple execution of the curls without drilling are indicative of an early date. Drill holes on both sides of the lion's chest where the acanthus emerges.

H. 50cm

Roman Imperial Period, Early 2nd Century A.D. (circa 100 A.D.)

This was a time when the Roman Empire was strong and wealthy. Homes of the elite often had decorated furniture, and carved table legs shaped like lions showed power and high status.

Carved marble
The piece is made from a single block of fine marble. You can see the detailed carving in the mane, the open jaws, and the muscles of the lion. There is a round hole between the shoulders where a horizontal bar once supported the tabletop. The back is flat because it was meant to be attached to the structure of a table. The marble has an aged surface that forms naturally over many centuries.

English private collection, since the 1970's, Cahn sale 2011, Basel Switzerland

Publications:
For the construction of a Roman table with trapezophoroi in the form of lions, cf. a marble table in the National Museum, Naples, in Richter - 1966, pl 577. cf. two trapezophori in the Musei Vaticani in Rome, Arachne - 53732 and the Museum of Ancient Art Stockholm, Arachne - 130164