Colossal Lion at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

This colossal lion sculpture stands with its paws crossed. Crafted from marble, it originated in Miletos approximately 600-590 BC. A worn inscription on the lion's left side reveals that it was part of a group of statues. The inscription may be translated as "Thales, Pasikles, Hegesandros, Eubios (?) and Anaxileos, sons of Orion the Founder, dedicated these statues as a tithe to Apollo". Shortly after its discovery, the inscription on this statue was intentionally damaged. The lion's relaxed pose likely stems from Egyptian representations. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory. Through Scan The World, we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the globe for public access at no cost. Scan The World is an open-source community effort. If you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can assist.