Carved Lions on Entryways, Contemporary to Classic

Doors

Mar 18

above: Contemporary-style entryway

Lion designs have been used in interior and architectural design as far back as the Grecian Empire and probably even before that. Lions create strong elements whether stylized or depicted more accurately. I have been asked to use them often over the years for many reasons. Some people like the symbol of strength, some for the simple love of the animal, and some people even want their zodiac/birth sign honored on their front door.

Pictured above is one of my most extraordinary lion doors. One particular client was building a very contemporary home off Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles and wanted me to carve a family of lions in their front entry door. The lion family was to include a male, a female, and four lion cubs to symbolize his family. The three doors, two fixed and the center door opening, were much more than ordinary. They were each 54" wide by 120" high and because of the heavy relief carvings on both sides these doors needed to be 12" thick! I used solid mahogany with glass in the upper part of the doors. I also etched a cloud design in the glass. My client also wanted the door to open, close and lock electronically with a remote switch from anywhere in the house. I had to specially design the jamb and surround wood including the wood around the widows above the door. The jamb edge was concave and the door edges convex because of the door thickness to keep tight tolerances, as the door opened and closed. Did I mention the 25 foot waterfall in the entry foyer? Yes, this was an unusual lion entry door.

Below are a few more doors I have designed and built using lions as the theme. As you can see, the carved lion can be used for many different styles of architecture from contemporary to classic, and anywhere in-between.