The Lions of Windsor & Maidenhead 2019 sculpture trail was a public art event featuring a giant pride of beautifully decorated lion and cub sculptures displayed across Windsor, Eton, Ascot and beyond for 10 weeks from August to November 2019.
The lion trail celebrated the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth and brought colour, fun and art to the streets of the Royal Borough.
Thousands of residents and visitors from around the world followed their trail maps on a journey of discovery across the region and the stunning pride was auctioned by Christie's and BBC Radio 4 panelist Tim Brooke-Taylor OBE at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel & Spa in November, with 100% of event profits donated Thames Hospice, the Lions Club of Windsor, Look Good Feel Better and Tusk.
Lion auction host Tim Brooke-Taylor OBE with Jabari and the bejewelled 'Diamond Empress' by Anna Kompaniets
'Winston Wiggle' by iconic British fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes
'Lioness is More' by Lelia Pissarro and 'Alan Howland' by daughter Lyora Pissarro at the Stern Pissarro Gallery in Mayfair.
'Rose Marble Lion' by world renowned textile artist Kaffe Fassett, on display at the American Museum in Bath, alongside his one-man 'Quilts of America' exhibition.
The much-loved 'Windsgrrr' with 5 year old lion fan Savannah, which was displayed at the popular Cinnamon Cafe in Windsor this summer. Windsgrrr was painted by Bath illustrator Beccy Blake and features hundreds of humorous images of life in Windsor, from the Queen walking her corgis, to cycling deer in the Great Park and 12 hidden images of Windsor's famous cat Dexter!
Lion Artists - The magnificent lion sculptures were decorated by some of the world's leading artists and designers, including fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, former Christian Lacroix studio head Craig Wheatley and descendants of French impressionist Camille Pissarro, Lélia and Lyora Pissarro, with a mini-pride of cute lion cubs decorated by local schools.
The eye-catching pride brought colour, fun and art to the streets and delighted thousands of residents and visitors from around the world.
We hope you had a roarsome safari!
WHY LIONS?
The King of the Beasts has symbolised courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour and been a popular royal heraldic image for centuries. William the Conqueror is thought to have brought the House of Normandy arms, depicting two lions on a red background to England in 1066.
‘Richard the Lionheart’ then added a third lion during his reign from 1189-99. The three golden lions on a scarlet background has represented the English throne and are still featured on England's Royal Coat of Arms to this day, making lions an ideal choice for this public art sculpture trail to celebrate Queen Victoria's 200th anniversary.
Lions in the wild
Over the past 50 years, wild lion numbers in Africa have decreased from over 200,000 to less than 15,000 today and they live in just 8% of their former habitat. The shocking news is that lions are now more endangered than polar bears. Please see Lion Aid for further details and join their campaign to stop lion trophy hunting.
2019 has been declared the Year of the Lion by wildlife charity TUSK to highlight the decline in wild lion numbers. #YearofTheLion
For further information about Lion conservation, contact TUSK or Lion Aid, which is working globally to save lions and help stop their decline in the wild.
Please support the Lions of Windsor & Maidenhead 2019 charities by bidding for your favourite lion or cub sculpture at the auction, either in person, by phone, absentee bid or online!
See the Auction Page of the website for details and the online catalogue at UKAuctioneers.com where you can leave a bid now, or bid live online on the night.
A roarsome thanks to all lion fans and good luck to lion bidders!
Headline sponsor – Windsor Yards
Gold sponsors
