20th Century Porcelain Model 1268 Lion Sculpture by Lauritz Jensen for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark

Details

Description

Measurements:
height: 16 cm; width: 35 cm; depth: 16 cm; weight: 1.560 kg

item :
a magnificent glazed polychrome hard-paste … Read more Measurements:
height: 16 cm; width: 35 cm; depth: 16 cm; weight: 1.560 kg

item :
a magnificent glazed polychrome hard-paste porcelain sculpture depicting a reclining lion, signed and numbered under the base by the royal copenhagen manufactory. This impressively large piece (16 cm high, 35 cm wide, and 16 cm deep) depicts a crouching male lion captured in the act of a powerful yawn or roar. The piece is entirely hand-finished with the exclusive and virtuoso underglaze technique, employing a subtle, typically scandinavian color palette dominated by warm earth tones, nuanced grays, and olive hues on the magnificent mane. From a philological and historical perspective, the work is the famous sculpture marked with the model number 1268, originally modeled in 1911 by the renowned danish animalist sculptor lauritz jensen (1859-1933). The attribution and authenticity criteria are irrefutable on the back of the base, where they include: the crowned green circular stamp "royal copenhagen denmark," the three historic parallel waves in cobalt blue underglaze (symbolizing the three danish straits), and the catalog number 1268 flanked by the initials of the master painters. This majestic zoomorphic sculpture in the finest porcelain represents a monumental and celebrated example of great northern european animalist sculpture of the twentieth century, produced by the prestigious danish manufactory royal copenhagen, a true gem for art lovers and collectors.

useful information for evaluating the item:
this porcelain's commercial positioning places it within the elite segment of international collecting associated with the great figures of the royal manufactory of copenhagen. At the most important international antique auctions, historic and monumental pieces of painted porcelain, or unique and sumptuous services such as the rare pieces of the famous flora danica, represent museum-quality masterpieces, achieving excellent prices between €2,500 and €6,000. This gives an idea of ​​the importance of this danish manufacturer. In the specific sector of large-scale animalistic sculptures by lauritz jensen, the artist boasts significant auction results, the four highest of which for bronze sculptures range from €2,894 up to €4,822 for a similar large-scale lion. Lot no. 7 entitled "lion on a rock (1905)" sold for €4,822 (dkk 36,000) excluding 25-30% buyer's premium, by bruun rasmussen auction house in denmark at the online auction "paintings, furniture and vari" held from 24/09/2025 to 06/10/2025. Among the highest prices achieved for his porcelain sculptures, we have another lion similar in artistic quality and size, lot no. 587 entitled "brüllender löwe" sold for €850 excluding commission, by the auction house kunstauktionshaus schloss ahlden gmbh in ahlden, germany, at the "internationale kunstauktion - part i" auction held on september 8, 2023. This was followed by another sculpture of a lion and lioness, sold for €804 excluding commission, by bruun rasmussen in denmark in 2025, lot no. 24 entitled "lion & lioness". As for our specific sculpture, the roaring lion model no. 1268 enjoys excellent interest on the northern european antiques market, with similar items fetching between €700 and €1,000 on elite online auction platforms such as pamono and 1stdibs. This specific lot's estimate is at the high end of the market value range due to its exceptional and absolute integrity: the porcelain is in workshop condition, free of any chipping, restoration, or chipping on the open mouth or twisted tail—typically exposed and fragile elements that would otherwise depreciate its value.

artist and/or manufacturer information:
founded in 1775 under the patronage of queen marie juliana of brunswick-wolfenbüttel, royal copenhagen is synonymous worldwide with technological and aesthetic excellence in the world of hard porcelain. The international success of animal sculpture flourished at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when leading sculptors were called upon to collaborate on live animal anatomy studies. Among these, lauritz jensen stands out. He trained at the copenhagen academy of art and specialized in creating majestic bronze public monuments and clay sculptures depicting horses, dogs, and large wild cats. His models for the royal factory, particularly this 1911 lion, stood out in the art salons of the time for their extraordinary anatomical realism, expressive intensity, and the vibrant muscular tension captured in the material. The works resulting from his collaboration with the danish brand have been celebrated at world's fairs and are now part of the exhibitions of europe's most important applied arts museums. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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