![Indiana Limestone 36" x 36 x 34"](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Dart-Lions-19.jpg)
36″ x 36 x 34″
Mrs. Dart with the lions she commissioned as a birthday present for her husband. The home dates to the Twenties, and she recalled her husband commenting when they bought it that all it needed was a couple stone lions out front. She looked for years to find the right ones, and then thought of having them custom made. The lions were truly collaborative; she chose the props and I assembled the compositions.
![It was a perfect morning for an installation that day. Cool and bright.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-1.jpg)
![Proud lions.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-2.jpg)
![The "his" model.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-3.jpg)
![Note the stink bug hiding behind the shield.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-4.jpg)
![And the frog nestled in there too.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-5.jpg)
![And the "hers" model.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-6.jpg)
![And the roses.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-7.jpg)
![Friendly lions.](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-8.jpg)
She wanted the lion representing her to be accompanied by roses, butterflies, and a vase. For his, she wanted a shield with a tudor rose and a “D”, a frog, and a stink bug. I worked up clay models, 1/4 scale, and after a couple small revisions, the models were approved.
Using a variety of measuring tools and a calculator, I enlarged the models into the stone. The dots on the model indicate a point that I located on the model, and transferred to the stone.
![I hope they both get a smile when they come home!](https://oldworldstonecarving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dart-lions-9.jpg)