Lion Paperweight

Paperweight developed from Edward Kemeys’ Lion, 1893 from the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection.

Iconic guardians of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Lions have stood at the Michigan Avenue entrance since the building’s inaugural year. The site became the museum’s permanent home at the conclusion of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Modeled by Edward Kemeys, an essentially self-taught artist and the nation’s first great animalier (sculptor of animals), the lion pair was unveiled May 10, 1894.

• Dimensions: 7 x 6 x 2.5 in.
• Materials: Poly Stone, Wood base.
• Color: Verde bronze