The lion mask holding a ring in its mouth for a handle derives from furniture from
ancient Rome and it continues to be popular as doorknocker.[4] Both
Venetian and façon de Venisegoblets feature decorative
prunts moulded in the
lionmask shapes frequently alluding to the symbol of
Venice, the
Lion of Saint Mark, although the lion's head goblet sometimes has other associations.[i][5]
From the early to mid-18th century, the lion mask enjoyed popularity as a favoured motif for furniture ornament, used as an arm rest support or to decorate a cabriole leg. Occasionally, a lion's
paw or
pelt appears alongside the
mask.[6][7]
Frank C. Brown, Study of the Orders, American School of Correspondence, London (1906).
Chandler R. Clifford, Period Furnishings: an Encyclopedia of Historic Furniture, Decorations and Furnishings, Clifford & Lawton, New York (1911).
George B. Frazee, Jr., "Here's Information about Chairs that will Aid You in Selling", in The Grand Rapids Furniture Record, Periodical Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, vol. XLVII, No. 1 (July 1923).
Oscar White Muscarella, Bronze and Iron: Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1988),
ISBN978-0-87099-525-5.
Jutta-Annette Page, Beyond Venice: Glass in Venetian Style, 1500–1750, Corning Museum of Glass, Hudson Hills Press, New York (2004).
Daniel Savoy, The Globalization of Renaissance Art: A Critical Review, Brill (2017),
ISBN978-90-04-35579-8.
Clare Vernon, From Byzantine to Norman Italy, Bloomsbury, London (2023).