The Sala degli Animali is one of the most evocative and fascinating collections of the papal collections in the Vatican. Established by Clement XIV, this collection includes some of the most beautiful sculptures depicting animals of antiquity and made with the most precious marbles and stones of the most varied polychromies.
Pius VI (1775-1799) had the rooms enlarged and entrusted the sculptors of the time with the task of enriching the collection of animals with new creations in the ancient style.
Rome, around 1783
Attributed to Antonio Moglia, Seated Leopard
18cm x 18cm; pedestal 6 x 20,5 x 9,6 cm
The Leopard from the Riahi collection, estimated €200.000 – 300.000stands out for the use of extremely rare yellow tiger marble, whose composition makes the feline's coat extremely natural and elegant. The yellow striped marble comes from some quarries used since ancient times and the material is found in various Roman churches, such as those of Santa Maria Maggiore and Sant'Andrea della Valle.
We have little information on the artist Antonio Moglia, whose activity can be traced especially in Rome in the second part of the eighteenth century. However, we know of his work in the Vatican and some of his restorations carried out on marbles that belonged to Ludwig I of Bavaria. What we are sure of is undoubtedly his inspiration and his virtuosity in shaping and defining the material with a naturalness capable of giving marble its own life.
Two other specimens made of tiger marble, of larger dimensions, are kept in some private collections; a third of cm 43.5 was recently sold at Christie's in Paris on May 16, 2017 for €722.500.
The origin of the leopard, before reaching the collection of Djahanguir Riahi financier – art amateur and donor of the Louvre Museum – can be traced to the Goldschmidt Collection and the Charles de Vogue Collection, both in Paris.
