Una and the Lion

This Art Nouveau-era cast bronze double inkstand was produced during the late 19th or early 20th century, a period when artists often combined mythological themes with the flowing, organic lines of nature.

The Allegorical Theme: Una and the Lion

While the combination of a nude woman and a lion may seem unusual today, it is likely an allegorical representation based on Edmund Spenser’s 16th-century epic poem, The Faerie Queene.

• The Story: The scene depicts Una, a princess representing Truth and Purity. In the poem, Una is traveling alone when she encounters a fierce lion. Instead of attacking her, the lion is so tamed by her innocence and beauty that he becomes her loyal protector.
• Symbolism: In Victorian and Art Nouveau art, this pairing was a popular symbol of the power of beauty and virtue to subdue brute force.

Description

• The Figures: A majestic, maned lion is depicted in a walking, protective stance atop a rocky ledge. Below him, a nude woman lies in a reclining, semi-recumbent pose amidst a dense bed of foliage and flowers.
• The Inkwells: The two ink reservoirs are concealed within the flowered stumps or rock-like mounds positioned at the far left and right of the base. The hinged lids of these stumps are textured to blend seamlessly with the surrounding flora.
• Material and Construction: It is a hollow-cast bronze with a rich, dark brown patina. The underside shows the rough, blackened texture characteristic of a sand-casting process.

Age

• Estimated Date: Circa 1890–1910. The stylized treatment of the woman’s flowing hair and the naturalistic, overgrown look of the base are hallmark characteristics of the Art Nouveau movement.