This is a very decorative pair of large 19th Century Staffordshire pottery Medici Lions.
These Victorian models are taken from the original classicalMedici lions - which are a pair of marble sculptures of lions, one of which is Roman, dating to the 2nd century AD, and the other a 16th-century pendant; both were by 1598 placed at the Villa Medici, Rome.
Since 1789 the marble lions have been displayed at the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. The sculptures depict standing male lions with a sphere or ball under one paw, looking to the side. The Medici lions have always been popular and have been widely copied over the centuries.
My Victorian pottery / earthenware ones date to end the 19th century / early 20th century and were made at one of the Staffordshire potteries - there is an indistinct maker's mark to the base, as photographed. I think that this mark is for Lancaster & Sons, Hanley, England,
They are fabulous display pieces and would have been on display on a Victorian chimneypiece or mantlepiece - or perhaps on an old pine kitchen dresser.
They are in good antique condition and display well. Guaranteed old pair of lions - over 100 years old. They are NOT modern reproductions or copies. All the Staffordshire pieces on offer in my Etsy store are genuine antique pieces.
My fine pair of lions have no chips or damages to the figures - but they are generally craquelure to the glaze which is commensurate with age - and probably with them having been placed on a mantlepiece for many years. A paler shade with highlights of brown to pick up on accents and details of the modelling.
A nice large size - with a good bit of weight to them.
Height: 11 inches (28 cm)
Length: 14 inches (36 cm)
Depth: 5 1/4 inches (13.5 cm)
Due to size and weight, these would have to be confined to UK posting only. I would have to post with Parcelforce48.