A lion

The sculpture belongs to a group of a dozen or so realistic Romanesque depictions of lions preserved in Poland. The majority of such figures were found in Małopolska region and Silesia. The presented lion probably constituted a fragment of the west portal of the original Tyniec church or it could have been part of the abbot’s throne. It was found during the years 1970–1980 in the outer courtyard of the Tyniec monastery. The lion is depicted in a recumbent position. The sculpture is partially preserved – its head was broken off. Despite this, the sculptural work on the mane is clearly visible. The body and the rear part of the animal have a cubic shape and smooth surface. The right-hand paw with six marked claws and the tail flung over the back are clearly visible. 12th century, Tyniec Museum of the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec Inventory number: DA/155/2012