An exceptional 20th-century Quebecois art populaire floor sculpture lion. Standing over three feet tall, at 39 inches, he's carved from a single block of hardwood.
Capturing the absolute best of primitive woodcarving: he's a wonderful mix of sophisticated craftsmanship & naive charm, distinctly regal in posture, yet delightfully goofy with his expressive, charismatic face. Wonderful stylized proportions, contrasting a massive, textured, flowing mane with slender, elegant front legs & a stylized, open roaring jaw.
Stained a rich, deep, warm mahogany tone, he's in wonderful condition with beautiful natural aging & a superb patina. Possibly from a pub or commercial enterprise, he was found in Quebec's Eastern Townships & has the name "Leo" carved into the base along with a nine-digit number which corresponds to Quebec drivers' licenses & identification numbers in the Eastern Townships—a security engraving practice that took place in the 1970s.
Weighing an impressive 74 pounds, a massive single log animal carving of this calibre is rare to come by. He is truly a spectacular piece & will add a wonderful presence to any home or commercial establishment. Structurally sound, he sits flat on the floor & is currently holding court by the window in my front entrance. His physical presence upon stepping into the house is superb. Note that due to his narrow primitive proportions, you will want to place him in a low-traffic area as a heavy side-bump could cause a spill.
An absolutely wonderful & special museum quality piece, hands down, one of my favorites in this year, Leo measures 38" H x 29" L x 13" W.
Please note that shipping is not available for this item. Local GTA pickup or delivery.
