Engaged Capital with a Lion and a Basilisk
1175–1200
Maker Unknown
Medieval Art
Engaged Capital with a Lion and a Basilisk, 1175–1200. Northern Italy, Emilia (Bologna?), 12th century. Marble; overall: 30.2 x 33 x 29.3 cm (11 7/8 x 13 x 11 9/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1972.20 This capital depicts a struggle between the good lion and the evil basilisk, a legendary reptile from myth. While the artist would not have encountered the mythical serpent, it is likely he never saw a real lion either based on its cartoonish appearance in this sculpture.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- marble
- Medium
- marble
- Dimensions
- Overall: 30.2 x 33 x 29.3 cm (11 7/8 x 13 x 11 9/16 in.)
- Inscribed
- Inscription: BASILISC.
- Departments
- Medieval Art
- Accession Number
- 1972.20
- Credit Line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
- Exhibitions
- Year in Review: 1972, Traditions and Revisions: Themes from the History of Sculpture, Images of the Mind
- Rights Statement
- CC0
- Museum Location
- 106B Romanesque & Gothic Sculpture
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