available in pair: the left lion and the right lion
Author: Donatello
Period: 1418-1420
The original masterpiece, in Florentine limestone, is now conserved inside the National Bargello Museum, Florence.
The Marzocco is the heraldic lion, symbol of Florence.
Donatello's Marzocco was commissioned by the Republic of Florence for the apartment of Pope Martin V at Santa Maria Novella. When the Pope left Florence heading to the Council of Constance during the Western Schism, the Donatello Marzocco was moved to its present location in Piazza della Signoria in 1377, at the end of the bench called the ringhiera, upon which speakers traditionally harangued the crowd.
The obscure name Marzocco, would by others derive from Marte (Mars). The lion is seated and with one paw supports the coat-of-arms of Florence, the fleur de lys called il giglio, the lily.
To request info for this item please use the following form
