The iconic winged lion statue in Venice may be from China’s Tang dynasty.

The article discusses a study revealing that the bronze statue of the winged lion in Venice's Piazza San Marco originated from China, specifically the Lower Chang River, over 1,000 years ago. Researchers used mass spectrometry to analyze lead isotope ratios in the metal, linking it to Chinese sources and suggesting that the statue may have been brought to Italy by Venetian merchants Niccolò and Maffeo Polo during their travels along the Silk Road in the 13th century. The study highlights stylistic similarities between the Venetian lion and Chinese tomb guardians from the Tang dynasty, proposing that the Polos may have adapted a Chinese statue into the iconic symbol of Venice associated with Saint Mark. The findings prompt further historical investigation into the statue's origins and significance. [Extracted from the article]