Lion's heads in 15th 16 th century marble

These two marble prototypes feature majestic lion heads, carved in very hight relief, on the edge of the round hump and architectural ornament.
Dated from the late 16 th or early 15th century, these fragments testify to an ancient artistic heritage renewed in the Renaissance, especially in commissions for civil or religious buildings.
Originally they took place on sarcophagi or sacred buildings, participating in the the ancient tradition of funerary decoration where the animal plays an apotropaic role.
Partially sculpted up to the bust, they are used as a pattern.
Decorative and had the function of repelling malicious spirits and protecting the deceased in the afterlife.