Leona de Baena
Leona de Baena is an Iberian limestone sculpture dating to the late 2nd century BC. It was found at the Cerro del Minguillar archaeological site in Baena, Córdoba, Spain, where the remains of the ancient Iponuba are located. The sculpture depicts a reclining lioness in a threatening posture and was probably part of a funerary monument, symbolically protecting the tomb. Today it is on display at the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid, with inventory number 20418. Bronze reproductions can also be seen in Baena’s Plaza Palacio and in the town’s Historical and Archaeological Museum.
· CC BY-SA 3.0
0500 © Relanzón, Santiago (photo) · CC BY-SA 4.0
0500 © Relanzón, Santiago (photo) · CC BY-SA 4.0
August 2016 © Ángel M. Felicísimo · CC BY 2.0
April 2009 © Zarateman · Public domain
Identification | |
| Title | Leona de Baena |
| Type | Iberian sculpture |
| Alternative name | La Lionne de Baena |
Historical context | |
| Ancient site type | Iberian-Roman city |
| Date | late 3rd century BC; another source gives late 1st century BC |
| Ancient province | Baetica |
| Associated ancient site | ancient Iponuba |
Creator | |
| Depicted figure | a lioness |
Appearance | |
| Pose and expression | lying down in a threatening attitude |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Function | probably part of a funerary monument |
| Symbolic role | probably protecting the tomb |
Physical characteristics | |
| Material | limestone |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Discovery site | Cerro del Minguillar archaeological site |
| Discovery location | Baena, Córdoba, Spain |
Location and ownership | |
| Current location | National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid |
| Inventory number | 20418 |
| Replica | bronze reproduction in Palacio Square, Baena |
| Replica location | Historical and Archaeological Museum of Baena |
| Museum context | displayed alongside various sculptures from the Iberian period |