The Lion of St. Mark’s Square in Venice is Chinese: Isotopic Analyses and Stylistic Comparisons Show

[guy]

Metallurgical analysis indicates that the renowned winged lion of Venice may have actually originated in China. The winged lion is not only recognized as the symbol of Venice but also of Mark the Evangelist. It is possible that it was created as late as the Tang dynasty (AD 609-907).
Below is an article about the new research:

 

 

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The statue was thought to have been created in Anatolia during the early Hellenistic era (4th century B.C.), based on research conducted after a restoration in the 1980s. However, a study of the lead isotopes in the metal alloy discovered they originated from mines in the lower Yangtze River basin in southeast China.

 

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Researchers reexamined the lion’s design and found characteristic features of Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) sculptures in the head, mane, and chest. Together with new stylistic considerations, the results indicate that the colossal statue is most likely an elaborate reassembly of what was initially a zhènmùshòu (镇墓兽 “tomb guardian”) cast in the Tang period (609-907 AD).

 

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The discovery raised questions about the history of the statue and its journey from China to Venice. Already present on the column when Marco Polo returned from his journey in 1295, the statue seems to have arrived in the city under mysterious circumstances, perhaps in pieces. It is speculated that the lion’s arrival may be linked to the travels of Marco’s father Nicolò and uncle Maffeo, who visited the Mongolian court in Beijing between 1264 and 1266.

 

 

https://arkeonews.net/the-lion-of-venice-was-made-in-china-isotopic-analyses-and-stylistic-comparisons-prove-it/

 

 

 

This longer video about the research has English subtitles:

 

 

Edited September 16 by guy

[guidoLaMoto]

Very interesting. We tend to underestimate the extent & sophistication of trade routes in those days.

That lion isn't the only thing fishy at St Mark's......Maybe that isn't even  St Mark in the cathedral, but someone else 

https://www.thecollector.com/alexander-saint-marks-tomb-venice/