American. <em>Demon Lion Mask, from the Lorillard Building, 87 Gold Street, NYC (demolished 1962)</em>, 1837. Cast iron, 19 x 24 x 6 in., 220 lb. (48.3 x 61 x 15.2 cm, 99.79kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anonymous Arts Recovery Society, 63.239.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 63.239.22_in_situ_bw.jpg)

Demon Lion Mask, from the Lorillard Building, 87 Gold Street, NYC (demolished 1962)

Artist:American

Medium: Cast iron

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:1837

Dimensions: 19 x 24 x 6 in., 220 lb. (48.3 x 61 x 15.2 cm, 99.79kg)

Collections:

Accession Number: 63.239.22

Image: 63.239.22_in_situ_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Grotesque demon lion mask, painted cast iron. Primitive in quality of design (but not technique). Full face, high cheekbones, bulging eyeballs, protruding tongue and fangs. Heavy creases around mouth. Source: Lorillard Building, 87 Gold Street, between Spruce and Franklin, NYC; demolished 1962. One of three masks separating the two-bay facade, attached to cast-iron lintel; the building was known for early use of cast-iron structural parts on the first two floors.

Brooklyn Museum