Unknown - Lion
Catalog #037 31×97×120cm
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A full-size carved wooden lion in a powerful lunging stander pose, painted in naturalistic tawny-brown tones with subtle mottling. The mane is the figure's defining achievement — deeply carved in flowing, voluminous locks with individual strands rendered in high relief, wrapping fully around the head. Open roaring mouth with individually carved upper and lower teeth, red mouth interior, and glass eyes. The trappings are deliberately minimal: a simple red saddle seat and a blue decorative band bearing a repeated gold leaf motif. No blankets, no drapery, no flowers — the anatomical carving carries the figure entirely. Both sides are carved to an equally high standard. The figure has been professionally restored; the paint surface is smooth, uniform, and crisp throughout.
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The owner has had this figure "for a long time" (reported) and tentatively references a source: "It's not from Swanson?" — possibly a dealer or previous owner, though the name is offered uncertainly (reported). No date or price was provided. The owner initially confuses this lion with another lion in the collection before correcting himself (noted).
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Unknown. The "Swanson" reference is the only lead and was offered tentatively. The owner deferred further details to a future session.
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The exceptional quality of the mane carving — deep relief, individuated locks, full wrap-around treatment — places this figure among the highest tier of American carousel craftsmanship. The deliberately minimal trappings (a restraint that allows the anatomical work to dominate) and the powerful stander pose are consistent with major Philadelphia or Coney Island school production, though a specific attribution cannot be made from photographs alone without owner input or documentary evidence.
Lions are among the most prized menagerie figures on the private carousel market. They appeared on the most elaborate park machines, typically as outside-row showpieces, and surviving examples from the major workshops command premium prices at auction. The scale and carving quality of this figure are consistent with an outside-row position on a large park machine.
This is the second lion in the collection. The presence of two lions from what appear to be different traditions and different levels of documentation makes them a natural comparison pair for study.
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The figure has been professionally restored. The paint surface is smooth, uniform, and shows no visible wear, cracking, or patina — this is a complete modern repaint. The quality of the restoration work is high; the blue band with gold leaf detail is crisply executed. The underlying structural condition appears sound — no cracks, separations, or missing elements are visible. The glass eyes are intact. Formal condition rating: Restored, excellent presentation.
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The carving quality is clearly high-tier American work, but no maker has been attributed, no provenance has been established, and the interview was deferred. The "Swanson" reference is the only lead.
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Owner interview (10/13/2025): Identifies the figure as a long-held lion, tentatively references "Swanson" as a possible source, defers details.
Photographs: DSC_2517 (romance side with whiteboard), DSC_2518 (non-romance side, full figure), DSC_2520 (head detail, romance side), DSC_2521 (romance side with measuring reference), DSC_2522 (non-romance side, rear angle). Both sides and head detail fully documented.