Important figurehead representing a lion protome in carved wood. The feline appears to be leaping forward with its paws, its head surrounded by a thick mane of wavy hair, its eyebrows strongly furrowed, its eyes bulging out, its open mouth threatening and showing its fangs. Sweden ? 17th century (accidents and missing parts, notably to the mane) The lion was frequently used as a figurehead on French, Danish, Swedish and Spanish naval vessels from the 17th to the early 19th century. The one shown here is similar in style to the one adorning the bow of the Vasa, the famous warship built for King Adolphe II of Sweden between 1626 and 1628. This mythical three-master sank on her maiden voyage and was not refloated until 1961. Lavishly carved, she featured a huge lion as a figurehead, over three meters high (fig.). Its typology is that of the first lions embodying speed, courage and strength, seemingly ready to leap towards the enemy from the bow of the ship. Provenance : - Private collection, England Book consulted : - R. Portanier, French Naval Sculpture under the Ancien Régime (1650-1789), PhD thesis, Concordia University, 2018, pp. 155-156