US EditionVenice's Iconic Lion Is Actually a Repurposed Chinese Monster, Scientists Say
Lead isotope analysis shows the bronze Lion of Venice used copper ore from China’s Lower Yangzi River basin, linking its design to Tang Dynasty sculptures from 618–907 CE.
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6 Articles
The Lion of St. Mark of Venice may not be all Made in Italy. The famous bronze statue depicting a winged lion, and which is located on one of the granite columns of St. Mark's Square, could in part have been made in China and then reached Venice through the Silk Road, after being brought back by the father and uncle of the merchant and explorer Marco Polo. To find the evidence it was a group of researchers of the University of Padua in a study p…
The lion is the coat of arms animal of Venice. The famous statue of St. Mark's Square was originally a Chinese graveguard – and could have traveled far with Marco Polo's father.
When people think of Venice, Italy's "Water City," many might picture gondoliers rowing canals. However, the city's symbol is actually a bronze winged lion statue known as the "Lion of Venice." Research suggests that this winged lion statue may have been crafted during the Tang Dynasty in China and subsequently introduced via the Silk Road.
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