Set of two carved and gilt wooden heads of lions, italy, venice, 1760 circa

This pair of playful and charming lion heads are a marvelous example of Venetian sculptural and decorative production of the 18th century.
They were probably used as finials in gondolas or private boats, as we can presume by the pins at the bottom of the sculptures, made for insertion. They are holding two metal rings, intended to hold mooring ropes.
The iconography is typically venetian (see San Marco's Lion, by Vittorio Carpaccio (1460-1526)).
In terms of condition the original gilt is nicely preserved on both sculptures and there are only minor losses throughout.