Lion of Belfort

Cultural Origin of Subject: United Kingdom

Originally part of a larger fountain constructed for the celebration for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, this statue features a reclining lion modelled after a similar sculpture in Belfort, France. A prominent heraldic feature of the British Monarchy’s coat of arms, the lion has historically been a prominent symbol of the British Empire, and the statue’s pedestal features inscriptions commemorating historic events that occurred during Queen Victoria’s reign. The lion’s relaxed pose and its stalwart pedestal of rusticated stone are intended to convey the strength and safety of Montreal under the security of the British Crown.