Venice Winged Lion Statue Identified Originating From Ancient China

New research reveals that the iconic winged lion statue in Venice's Piazza San Marco, a symbol of Venetian power, was originally a Chinese tomb guardian sculpture from the Tang Dynasty, made over 1,000 years ago. Analysis of lead isotopes in the bronze indicates the copper ore used to create the statue originated in the Lower Yangzi River basin in China, challenging previous beliefs that it was crafted in Venice or nearby regions. The statue’s stylistic features, such as horns and pointed ears that were later altered, align more closely with Tang Dynasty tomb guardians than with medieval European lion depictions. Researchers propose that the statue might have been brought to Venice by Niccolò and Maffeo Polo, Marco Polo's father and uncle, during their travels along the Silk Road in the 13th century. While the exact timeline and process of the statue’s arrival and modification in Venice remain uncertain, the study sheds new light on the cross-cultural exchanges shaping Venice's history. This discovery not only solves a long-standing mystery but also highlights the interconnectedness of medieval Eurasian civilizations.