A large Minton Parian model of Una and the Lion

A large Minton Parian model of Una and the Lion, by John Bell, the naked and lonely maiden seated sideways on the back of her faithful companion and holding his mane in one hand, incised ermine mark and date code for 1856, a small chip to Una's right foot, 38cm. Cf. Richard Dennis, the Parian Phenomenon, p.64. The story of Una and the Lion is taken from Spencer's 16th century 'Faerie Queene'. "The lion would not leave her desolate, but with her went along, as a strong gard of her caste person" [sic].