•Lot 225
Marcus Charles Illions Carousel Lion
American, Coney Island Style. Restored paint.
Just as the lion is the "King of the beasts" in the jungle, so has the lion ruled on carousels. To many, they are the most desireable figures to ride. They often have created the biggest stir when they have appeared at auction. The Illions lions, in their different configurations, are amongst the most magnificent of all lions. This notion was supported by the American Folk Art Museum when it featured an Illions lion dramatically on the cover of its "Folk Art" magazine in the fall of 2007. That lion, along with about a dozen other carousel figures were prominently displayed at that prestigious museum in a highly-regarded exhibition. Illions lions can also be seen in many books including Charlotte Dinger's "Art of the Carousel", page 131. The magnificent lion being offered in this auction is very similar to the lion displayed at the American Folk Art Museum.
Dimensions: 43" x 82"
Estimate: $60,000 - $70,000